Police confident of apprehending Tuschen triple-murder suspect

THE Police Commander of ‘D’ Division (West Bank/West Coast Demerara), Ian Amsterdam yesterday said it is only a matter of time before they apprehend the prime suspect in the Tuschen triple murder.

At large: Joshua Franklin
At large: Joshua Franklin

The suspect, Joshua Franklin, is being sought for the brutal murders of his mother-in-law, Bibi Zalima Khan; Floyd Drakes, the alleged lover of his reputed wife, Geeta Boodhoo; and his nine-year-old stepdaughter, Ashley Boodhoo, last week.

Amsterdam said the Police have checked several places where they received word that Franklin was spotted, and that they have those places under surveillance, just in case he shows up again.

He noted that members of the community are cooperating with the police, and he is optimistic that they will find him soon.

Asked about security for the injured woman in the hospital, Amsterdam said there is a police outpost at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and they have a hand on things there, but they are hoping he does not reach there.

Amsterdam said since they learnt that Franklin had contacted a section of the print media via telephone, their intelligence sleuths are working to have that telephone number traced in an effort to locate him.

Geeta Boodhoo’s five remaining children are staying with her sister at this time, and she has since been alerted about the suspect’s presence in the community.

Boodhoo, who is still hospitalised and who lost her left hand from the wrist down in the cutlass attack, has since undergone a surgery and was in need of ‘O’ positive blood.

Franklin has reportedly confessed to the killings, via telephone to a private newspaper, and said he will “finish off” his reputed wife and her sister, whom he blames for his domestic problems.
Last week, the seemingly “quiet” cane-cutter, in a fit of rage, broke into the home he once shared with Boodhoo and hacked her, her alleged lover, his mother-in-law, and stepdaughter.

Boodhoo managed to escape though she was chopped several times, and secreted herself in her neighbour’s verandah.

The body of Floyd Drakes was found at the rear of the yard behind a toilet, while that of nine-year-old Ashley was discovered in the kitchen; Ashley’s grandmother was found in the living room where the attack started after Franklin broke into the house.

Ashley and her grandmother were laid to rest Friday according to Muslim rites following a post-mortem.

Police reported that Khan, Boodhoo and Drakes all died as a result of multiple incised wounds to the body.

The surviving children, including twins, escaped the brutal cutlass attack by hiding under a bed.

Franklin’s son, who resides in a cottage in the same yard as the Boodhoos, remains in police custody assisting with investigations.

(By Michel Outridge)

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