Daughter’s comfort: Judy Badri, left, is comforted by one of her daughters Marsha Chevalier during the funeral of another daughter Melissa Akong in 2005. Four years after Melissa’s murder, Badri was shot dead on Sunday.

NEWSDAY (Trinidad) – The tragedy and pain of this Petit Valley family could never be described in words.

On Sunday, July 3, 2005, a man entered their house at Morne Coco Road, Petit Valley and brutally chopped to death 21-year-old Melissa Akong.

He severed both of Melissa’s legs, chopped her about the body and head and she died in the yard.

He then severely mutilated her sister, 17-year-old Sue Mara Akong, whose legs (both) were nearly severed in the attack. Sue Mara lost her left leg but surgeons were able to save the right.

Their mother, Rajwanti Judy Badri, was so hysterical she had to be taken to the St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital for treatment for shock.

Melissa worked at the Unit Trust Corporation. Sue Mara was a Lower Six student at St Joseph’s Convent, Port-of-Spain. She was eventually outfitted with a mechanical prosthetic limb at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex and resumed her studies at St Joseph’s Convent.

In 2006, she was awarded the Sr Paul D’Ornellas medal for facing extraordinary challenges in her life, breaking down in tears as she received a standing ovation.

Now, Sue Mara faces another extraordinary challenge, the loss of her mother who was shot dead on Sunday. She, her mother and relatives had only one week earlier marked the four-year anniversary of the death of Melissa.

Badri, who was a witness in the trial of a man accused of killing Melissa, was in her mini-mart at Morne Coco Rd where she was gunned down. Her killing has brought back the horror of that other Sunday morning in 2005.

FACEBOOK TRIBUTES

Walking tall: Sue Mara Akong shows her prosthetic leg on her return to school at St Joseph’s Convent, Port-of-Spain in 2005.

Hours after the slaying of her mother, Sue Mara, now 21, turned to the internet as a means of expressing her grief. On Sunday, numerous tributes and condolences were posted on the wall of Sue Mara’s Facebook account after news of her mother’s murder had spread.

She changed her profile picture and displayed one she took with her mother. Her status said it all. Her heart aching for her slain mother, she posted this message at 7.23 pm, Sunday:

“Why you had to go? I know its better on the other side…I love you mummy.”

If the incident which claimed the life of her sister and cost Sue Mara her leg, helped her to mature, her mother’s killing is making her stronger. She posted the following message at 2 am Monday.

“Just feel like cursing him (the killer)…torturing him for all the pain and horror…wanting him to know how it feels…yet at the same time, knows it makes no sense to hate and want revenge…revenge begets hatred…and hatred…revenge…so thank you…thank you (name of attacker called)…for I may not forgive you but I will NEVER EVER stoop to your level of depravity no matter how much hate is in my heart…thank you for making me stronger.”

Among those offering Sue Mara condolences on Facebook was former television reporter Alisha Nurse.

“Hi Sue Mara, my heart broke when I saw the news…and I just wanted to say I’m sorry for what has happened. Keep strong ok, I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers,” Nurse told Sue Mara.

Another Facebook friend Danielle Urbano wrote: “Mara- be strong girl — we all sorry for your loss but you will be ok in a little while – she gone to a better place with Mel (Melissa).”

AUTOPSY AND INTERVIEWS

Melissa Akong…chopped to death in 2005

On Monday, Sue Mara, her sister Aura and two female relatives sat in the waiting room at the Forensic Science Centre, Federation Park, St James, with grief etched on their faces as they awaited for the autopsy to be done on Badri’s body.

A soft-spoken Sue Mara told Newsday that she was unable to comment on her mother’s death at this time because she was in grief.

“I can’t talk right now, please give us the respect that we need,” was all she was willing to say.

Sue Mara then left for Cameron Road, Petit Valley, to go to the same vegetable stall and mini-mart where her mother was shot dead on Sunday.

Again she refused to be interviewed by Newsday and sat inside the mini-mart, deep in thought.

Neighbours of the slain woman said she was very popular, gave freely to those in need, and even sold her vegetables far cheaper than her competitors.

They said that when Melissa was murdered in 2005 and Sue Mara was chopped and lost her limb, Badri suffered from depression but she bounced back and started smiling once again because she felt that she had to be thankful for the positive things in her life.

Neighbours also said Badri was proud of her daughters Sue Mara and Aura and spoke glowingly about them almost on a daily basis.

An autopsy carried out Monday by Russian forensic pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov, showed that Badri’s death was due to “life incompatible injuries to the brain.”

Badri was shot in her left eye, with the bullet ripping through her brain, before finally exiting through the back of her head. Death would have been instantaneous.

Police believe the killing of Badri is linked to the killing of Melissa.

They said based on information they received, Badri’s murder was “a hit” and they expect to interview a suspect shortly.