Senior Reporter
shane.superville.guardian.co.tt
As homicide investigators piece together the circumstances surrounding the murder of 18-year-old Hannah Mathura, one Valsayn resident has shared her memories of a child whose life was shrouded in mystery.
Mathura’s remains were found buried in the backyard of her family’s Butu Street, Valsayn South home in July 2017.
The sordid secret was revealed by a 26-year-old relative who reported the incident to police last Sunday, prompting an immediate visit.
Mathura’s remains were found wrapped in a discoloured sheet and wearing a tube top, a pair of red pants and underwear.
When Guardian Media visited the neighbourhood yesterday, one resident said she only learned her name after media reports were circulated.
She said while their interactions were brief and infrequent, she remembered Hannah as a petite, playful girl who would often wave at her from her bedroom window, which was visible from the yard of her home.
“I know her as a little girl, very pale, very tiny, she has a lot of Asian features. She had bangs by her forehead and that’s all I know of Hannah,” the woman said.
“I know her for sitting by that window, seeing her getting beaten, cursed, for whatever reason.
“Then she would sit there and tease you, wave to you and we stopped seeing Hannah after.
“It’s amazing that she could still be playful and mischievous after getting that licks, to know that she had that strength and to know her little body could take that and survive.”
The resident said she has been living near Mathura’s home for over ten years and was always concerned over the sound of arguments and beatings of children at the home.
According to Mathura’s autopsy, she died from gunshot wounds to the head.
The neighbour said she could not recall hearing the sound of gunfire at any point but did remember smelling a foul scent sometime ago but could not say for certain what it was, as a chicken coop was also kept on the property.
She admitted that living so close to the home has been difficult for her, but the thought of the difficulties Mathura and others would have faced has been particularly jarring over the past week.
“I want to move from here. I hate it. I told my spouse that place is cursed. Too much things are happening there,” she said.
“I can’t describe what I feel, but I know since a few days ago I have been feeling depressed and sad, since they found her body because I am a mother.”
Guardian Media spoke to another man who said he has been working at one of the houses on Butu Street for 17 years and occasionally saw Mathura from her bedroom window.
He said Mathura was a shy child who often hid once she realised she was seen by anyone from the street.
“Because of where I was working, I could get a view of her from her room. She never had a smile on her face. She was always serious and sometimes she would go to the window and comb her hair.”
Asked if he felt the discovery of Mathura’s remains would encourage residents to be more neighbourly and take greater interest in each other’s well-being, the man said he was doubtful, given the nature of residential communities.
“People here keep to themselves, that’s just how it is. In these places, people don’t meddle, either because they are busy working or because they stay inside. It’s hard to tell when something is wrong or off because of the walls people put up.”
Another important aspect of the mystery surrounding Hannah’s life is the fact that four days after the discovery of her body, no image of her has surfaced, even on social media.
Her father Andrew, described by police as a suspect in the investigation, remained in police custody up to yesterday evening.
A police media release yesterday reported that the 66-year-old man was found at an El Dorado, Tunapuna apartment.
His 62-year-old wife was also detained and will be interviewed.
Sources said officers from the Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region II visited the home yesterday afternoon and spoke with other relatives.
While in the neighbourhood, a relative at the house was seen driving in. He declined to speak when approached.
Residents from nearby streets were also seen driving through Butu Street to simply look at the Mathura’s home.
One driver said he heard of the discovery of Mathura’s remains and wanted to see the location for himself.
“I just happened to be on this part of the neighbourhood this afternoon and I wanted to see for myself. My mother was telling me what happened and I couldn’t believe it.”
A white flower was placed on the front gate of the Mathuras’ home.
Neighbours said a stranger placed it there on Thursday evening to pay respect to Mathura.