Pensioner allegedly murdered by younger sister 

Police are investigating the alleged murder of 72-year-old Barbara Crawford, a pensioner who resided at Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

Police Headquarters, in a release, stated that Crawford died at around 20:00 hrs Thursday. She was allegedly murdered by her 55-year-old sister at a Plantation Ross, West Coast Berbice house.

Police said Crawford had been staying at her sister’s house in Berbice since September 12, after attending the funeral of a brother.

Preliminary investigations revealed that at about 19:45 hours Thursday, the 72-year-old woman was heard shouting. Roy Walters, a brother of both the victim and suspect, who lives in the bottom flat of the home, went upstairs to investigate. However, the doors were locked, and he called over another brother, Lester Walters, for assistance. Both men were able to break open the back door and gain access to the house. Upon entering, the 55-year-old suspect reportedly picked up a knife and rushed towards them. They managed to take away the knife and subdue her.

Soon after, they found Barbara Crawford in a chair, motionless, in the hall.

The incident was reported to the Police, who visited the scene.

The 55-year-old suspect was questioned but remained silent. She was arrested and taken to Fort Wellington Police Station, where she was placed into custody. The suspect is reportedly a patient at a mental health clinic in Canje, Berbice.

The body of the deceased was taken to Bailey’s Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Police ranks later questioned the suspect’s daughter and she reported that she made contact with the 55-year-old woman via phone and she (the suspect) said: “I just strangle Barbara and kill she”.

Investigations are ongoing.