Autopsy shows Sando pensioner strangled to death

San Fernando pensioner Anika “Rita” Williams was strangled to death before her house was set alight in the wee hours of Sunday morning. An autopsy performed on the 65-year-old yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre found she died from manual strangulation. Swabs were also taken to determine if she was sexually assaulted in the attack. On Sunday around 2.45 am, firefighters from the Mon Repos Fire Headquarters responded to distress calls from residents of Turney and Skinner Streets, Mon Repos, San Fernando. When they arrived at the scene they found Williams’ rented house on fire with smoke billowing from the windows. The fire officers broke down the door and found her body face down in the living room.

 

Her hands were tied and a piece of cloth was wrapped around the neck and mouth. No suspects have been detained nor has a motive been established for the killing. Police were unable to say if anything was stolen, since WIlliams lived alone and most of her possessions were charred in the fire. Meanwhile, an autopsy is expected to be performed today on Penal resident Dipraj Maharaj. Maharaj, 54, of no fixed address, was found lying on a bench around 1 pm opposite a Hindu temple at Teemul Trace, Penal. Pundit Bhagwandass, head of the temple, contacted the police when he saw the motionless man. No marks of violence were found on the body, police said.