Guyanese woman stabbed to death in Barbados

By Bhisham Mohamed –

A Guyanese woman was on Tuesday evening brutally stabbed to death by her estranged husband, a Barbadian national, at Cutting Hill in Haggatt Hall, St Michael.
The incident occurred about 21: 00h. The dead woman was identified as Brenda Duncan Taylor Belle, 64, of St Barnabas Settlement, Bridgetown, Barbados and formerly of Lot 50 Russell Street, Charlestown, Georgetown.
The Royal Barbados Police Force is also investigating a case of suspected arson at the victim’s home.

The force’s public relations officer, Inspector David Welch told Guyana Times International that after committing the act, the suspect might have ingested a poisonous substance and is in critical condition at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
He said that the last time he checked on the suspect, who is under guard, he was still in a serious condition.
Inspector Welch revealed that on the night of the fatal stabbing, the victim left her home and was visiting a male friend who resides at Cutting Road in Haggatt Hall, St Michael.
During her visit at the friend’s house, her husband arrived and repeatedly called out to the woman and he then began to break the windows of the home with the aim of getting into the house.
Fearful for their lives, Belle and her male companion rushed out of the house but the suspect ran behind them. The man managed to escape, while Belle was cornered by her estranged husband who pulled out a knife and stabbed her several times about her body.
Inspector Welch confirmed that the woman died on the spot.
He added that as police arrived on the scene, they recognised that the woman’s house, which was nearby, was engulfed in flames. The police are working on the theory that the suspect might have set the house ablaze.
The suspect and Belle lived together for some time but their relationship soured after constant arguments.
Guyana Times International understands that the woman left Guyana several years ago to take up residency in the sister Caricom state. The police are continuing their investigation.
Meanwhile, Belle’s eldest daughter, Paula Duncan told this publication that she received a telephone call about 23: 35h on Tuesday evening from a friend who enquired about her mother and subsequently asked for her contact number.
“All she said was that she heard something happen to her… A few minutes later, the friend returned a call and informed … that my mother was murdered by her husband,” she added.
Duncan said that upon receiving the dreadful news, she telephoned the father of her children and asked him to check on her mother. She said he reached the scene as undertakers were removing her mother’s body.
She explained that her mother got married to the suspect, Alan Belle some 12 years ago in Barbados.
Duncan added that her mother is a Barbadian citizen who has been involved in trading for more than 20 years. It was while she was travelling to and from Guyana, she had met Belle.
The couple encountered marital issues and had constant quarrels, so they decided to separate, Duncan disclosed. Her mother decided to visit Guyana in the hope that when she returned, everything would work out since she thought that they needed some space.
Duncan underscored that her children’s father will be keeping her abreast of what is happening.
The possibility exists that Belle’s body may be taken to Guyana for a funeral. The woman leaves to mourn her three daughters and grandchildren.