Slain mom, two sons laid to rest

The media were told to leave the chapel at Allen’s Funeral Home yesterday at the funeral service of the Vonetta Haynes-Reyes, 31, and her sons Makasi, five, and Malik, eight. The directive came from the children’s father Selvon Reyes after he saw flashes from cameras up in the balcony where several media personnel were located. Others who were waiting to enter were told by a female police officer: “The husband does not want the media here.” Reyes was seen whispering to a police officer moments before she told them they had to leave. Scores of mourners were also locked out the chapel on Broadway, Arima, because of the seating accommodation. Many expressed their frustration, saying they wanted to hear the sermon.
Special guests allowed to enter had either blue or black and gold ribbons pinned to their clothes. Framed pictures of the three victims and heart-shaped wreaths were placed on top their caskets.

Dozens of wreaths and roses placed in front the altar decorated the room. The eulogies were read by Haynes-Reyes’ sister Alicia Pierre and cousin Sherunda Latouche, while Pastor Wayne Prime delivered the sermon. Prime said there were people walking around without their main organ—their hearts. He said a cloud of darkness had covered the land but assured the mourners “even in the darkest hour Jesus was always there.” He referred to the two boys as “dear little angels.” Prime said T&T was fixated on “party.”
He urged them to “wake up and smell the coffee.” Prime said: “It is worse than a jungle out there.” At 3.55 pm, after mourners left the chapel, the media were told by an unidentified man “you can go and take your shots now.”

Haynes-Reyes’ once beautiful face looked far from flawless. She wore a pair of glasses. A miniature teddy bear was placed in Makasi’s blue and white casket. Several police officers and mounted police kept close watch on the outside as mourners drank liquor from parked vehicles, while others sheltered under their umbrellas from the drizzle. Haynes-Reyes and her sons were found murdered at their Plumbago Avenue, La Horquetta, home last Thursday. Post-mortem results revealed her sons’ throats were slit and Haynes-Reyes’ had stab wounds to the neck. The three were buried at the Industry Public Cemetery in D’Abadie.