four detained for questioning

SCREAMS of shock and disbelief rang through the street as the mutilated remains of a mother and her son were found in their home on Wednesday at Mangrove Street, Rose Hall Town.

The discovery was made by a brother who went to use the washroom when he stumbled upon the gruesome scene, and subsequently made a report to the Police.

Dead is Melissa Arokium 31, called “Lisa”, and her eight-year-old son Anthony Arokium, a pupil of Port Mourant Primary School.

The mother of one operated a small grocery shop at her residence, and was well known in the Town. Following the discovery, a large crowd gathered on the street; some wept uncontrollably while expressing sadness, and questioned who would have want to hurt the single mother and her child.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the brother, Nicholas Arokium, a vendor at the Rose Hall Market, had left the market to go by his sister’s, intending to use the washroom when he found her lying in blood in the living room. A short distance away, in the bedroom lay the lifeless body of her son on a bed.

Nicholas immediately left and got the police, who returned with him to the scene.

Divisional Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus told the media that they’d initially received a report from a relative of a wounding between 13:00-14:00hrs on Wednesday. However, when ranks arrived at the scene with a relative, they discovered the motionless bodies.
He noted that the investigation was still active, and as such he could not give much details at the time. However, he assured media operatives that ranks are working assiduously to crack the case. He indicated that several persons have been detained for questioning, including relatives and a neighbour.

He further said that the police would have discovered traces of blood in proximity of the crime scene, but are yet to determine whether it’s human or animal blood.

Meanwhile, an uncle of the victims, one Leon Moore, 52, said he recalled seeing Melissa on Wednesday, because, as is customary, she would stop and talk to him briefly before returning home.

“That is some foul play, because she don’t make problem with people suh; every morning that girl take her son to lesson, and she would stop and talk to meh.”

Melissa Aroikum shares the home with her son, while another brother lives in a separate house within the same yard. According to information, the brother left for work at around 04:30hrs, and returned at 11:30 hrs. After showering, he reportedly left, and was allegedly unaware of his sister and nephew’s demise. It was the younger brother who made the discovery.

Aroikum was described as a friendly and caring person who deeply cared for her son, with whom she was often seen. An investigation into the double murder is currently underway.