THE police have arrested the common-law husband of a 32-year-old Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD) woman who was killed on Monday night.

Dead is Lowtie Atwaroo called “Mona” of Lot 221 Plantation Walk, Herstelling New Housing Scheme, EBD.

Reports are that the couple lived together for a number of years at Herstelling but separated for about two months because of the man’s abusive behaviour.

The woman later moved in with relatives at her father’s apartment.

Atwaroo reportedly left her father’s home on Monday night and went to visit her 38-year-old partner. Later, persons in the area heard her crying out for help and when they rushed to the scene, they saw the man holding her down in a trench.

At the scene, a black cap, a one side slipper, a jersey and a black bag was found next to the woman’s body with the head facing north. An examination of the exposed parts of the body which was clad in a blue, long jeans and black jersey, showed no marks of violence.

Atwaroo’s reputed husband who had fled the scene was later apprehended.

The woman’s body was taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Parlour and is awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile, investigators have taken statements from several persons who it is reported witnessed the crime..

Last month, seven women died at the hands of their partners while several others were brutalised.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had said the issue of domestic violence cannot be tackled only from a law enforcement perspective but requires an inter-agency collaboration, involving religious leaders and educational institutions.