Woman, 23, remanded to prison for murder of mother-in-law

Deborah Williams, a 23-year-old housewife from Mabaruma Settlement, North West District, was remanded to prison on Wednesday after she was charged with the murder of her mother-in-law, 47-year-old Sharlim Anthony.

Williams appeared virtually before magistrate Judy Latchman at the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court. She was not required to plead to the indictable charge. The matter has been adjourned to August 5, 2025.

Police reported that on Saturday, July 12, at Kissing Rocks Access Road in Mabaruma, Williams and her husband, Raj Anthony were imbibing at their residence.

An argument then ensued between the couple during which Williams allegedly knocked Anthony unconscious with a piece of wood.

The man’s parents, who live a short distance away, were informed, and his mother, Sharlim and father came to the residence to find out what was going on.

Upon arrival at the suspect’s home, Sharlim approached her Williams and asked her, “What did you do to my son?”
Instead of providing a verbal response, Williams reportedly dealt her mother-in-law several stabs to her right arm and upper back with what appeared to be a broken beer bottle.

With the assistance of public-spirited persons and relatives, Sharlim and her son were taken to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital. Sharlim later succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment.

Williams was subsequently arrested and taken into custody.