Burn victim Melinda Weekes, who died at the San Fernando General Hospital on Saturday, succumbed to pneumonia, a post mortem has revealed. The post mortem on the Marabella mother of two, which was done at the Forensic Sciences Centre, St James, revealed she suffered third degree burns which led to sepsis. Pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov explained that due to the intense burns Weekes suffered, protective tissues in her body which prevented bacteria and other harmful pathogens were destroyed.
"In this case she developed sepsis which meant her body contracted pneumonia which her immune system was not able to fend off," he said.
Weekes, 32, of New City Avenue, Marabella, suffered burns to 90 per cent of her body when a male relative doused her with paint thinners and set her on fire. Police said Weekes and the man had been arguing over money. During the incident, which was witnessed by her daughters-Nakida Collins, 12, and Naomi Lezama, 8-Weekes, a real estate agent, ran out onto the roadway where onlookers rushed to assist her.
She was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where she was warded in the Intensive Care Unit.
Police are yet to detain a suspect in connection with the incident. In a telephone interview yesterday, a relative of the victim said on the day of the incident Weekes had $100,000 in her possession for a business transaction. The relative said he believed the money may have caused the argument.
The funeral service for Weekes is scheduled for tomorrow at Simpson's Funeral Home, Couva.