Charity woman allegedly killed by her granddaughter

Police are investigating an alleged murder committed on Angelica Agatha Gamell, a 75-year-old pensioner of Lot 168 Charity Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast which occurred about 04:00 hrs today (Sunday) at the above-mentioned address.

The 21-year-old suspect, who is in custody, is the woman’s granddaughter.

Police enquiries disclosed that the now deceased woman lived alone in a flat concrete house about three (3) feet above surface and measuring about 40 feet in length and 25 feet in width, facing east in a fenced yard.

Gamell would be visited occasionally by her granddaughter (the suspect).

On 2022/11/26 at about 20:00 hrs, the suspect visited the home of Angelica Agatha Gamell in company with her one-month-old baby daughter.

The police, in its report, said at about 04:00 hrs Sunday morning, one of Gamell’s neighbour told investigators she heard loud screams, tramping and crying of a baby coming from the home of the now deceased woman which lasted for about fifteen (15) minutes.

Thereafter, the suspect knocked at the door of the said neighbour and asked for it to be opened.

The neighbour opened her door and saw the suspect with a baby, naked in her hands, who told her that the baby just died and attempted to hand the baby over to her (neighbour) who refused to take the baby.

The suspect then walked out the yard onto the street with her baby.

Police were called in and the crime scene was visited by the Regional Commander Superintendent K. Shivbaran, Dsp Duncan, Asp Lall and other ranks.

The body of Angelica Agatha Gamell was seen clad in a white night-dress with suspected blood stains and black tights, lying face up on a floor mat in the kitchen.

Police said the body was examined and one large wound was seen behind the neck and one to the right-side temple. Also, two large wounds were seen on the back of the elderly woman’s head. All of the elderly woman’s hair was also removed from her head and placed on the kitchen floor.

A pair of scissors with what appeared to be blood stains were found on top of a gas stove. A broken glass jar was found on the floor next to the body and cooking salt was seen scattered on the floor.

The suspect was later arrested, and the baby (whom she had in her possession at the time) seemed to be in good health. The baby was handed over to a family member.

The elderly woman’s body was escorted to the Charity Cottage Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty. It was then escorted to the Suddie Hospital’s mortuary for storage, awaiting a PME.

Police said several persons were questioned. The suspect was seen with injuries on her right hand. When questioned by the police she claimed that she does not know how she received her injuries. She was placed into custody pending further investigations.