RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Still struggling with the trauma of discovering the bodies of his common-law wife, Hollice Thomas, and eight-year-old stepson, taxi driver Marcus John is unable to return to the Marabella apartment where they were stabbed to death on December 13.
He has resorted to sleeping in his car, bathing at standpipes and using public facilities and is unable to erase the horrifying images from his memory. He said he sees their faces every time he closes his eyes.
“I need professional help right now. I am not in the right frame of mind. I feel hopeless and I miss my family,” John cried.
Recalling how they had been planning to spend their first Christmas together, he said, “The day before the murder we went and bought decorations for the Christmas tree. We were also looking forward to celebrating our birthdays this month as well. Her birthday is December 26 and mine is December 22.”
Although the murders occurred a week ago, John has not received any counselling. A senior homicide officer said the T&T Police Service (TTPS) Witness and Victims Support Unit has been activated to offer assistance and will provide counselling to John.
The grieving man said the pain of his loss has been compounded by accusations from strangers that he is responsible for the murders.
“People saying the worst things, but I want people to know that I loved Hollice and we were happy together,” he said.
John also revealed he was not even allowed to arrange the funeral for the woman he loved as her family in Guyana claimed the bodies.
He said they had a whirlwind romance after he met Hollice while working his taxi a few months ago and later on he met her son, Noel.
John, a father of three, said he loved Noel like his own child and he and Hollice had discussed growing old together.
Hollice had left an abusive relationship and just a few months before the murder she had blocked her ex-lover on WhatsApp as she wanted no contact with him.
John never met the man who beat Hollice and tried to kill her son by chasing him with a chopper in 2019. He also did not know about the abuse she had suffered until after her death.
He admitted, “I was in the dark. It was only afterwards I heard the stories that someone wanted to kill her. As far as I know, she had no enemies.”
John described Hollice as a wonderful and caring mother and wife.
“She used to do anything to please me. Make my breakfast, wash my clothes. I never knew her to be in any confusion. She took great care of her family,” he said.
“I keep thinking of what would have happened if I had come home earlier. I would have been able to save her, to protect her.
“I have regrets about this situation, that I was not there and I could not save her. Why didn’t I come home earlier? I will never get back what was lost but I hope I get justice.”
A senior officer said investigators are pursuing all avenues to identify a suspect and a motive for the killings.