Suspect in Blankenburg murder contacts family

The man implicated in the murder of 32-year-old Rushelle Rodney has since contacted the woman’s relatives and reportedly took responsibility for the crime and also indicated that he is in Suriname.

Rodney was found on Tuesday last with her neck and both wrists slit and also several stab wounds to her back, stomach and chest. One of her two children made the discovery around midday at their Lot 72 Boodhoo Housing Scheme, Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara home.

Rushelle Rodney and Shawn Rodney on their wedding day two years ago.

The woman’s mother, Evette McDonald, visited Stabroek News yesterday in a tearful state and indicated that a post-mortem examination performed on the body proved that she died of multiple stab wounds and a slit throat.

This newspaper yesterday spoke to Lionel Crandon, the woman’s adopted brother, who stated that her husband, Shawn Rodney, telephoned her father, Allen Mc Donald, on the evening in question to provide an explanation.

“Uncle Allen said he in Suriname… he said he trying to explain how Rushelle don’t hear he… he is responsible for the crime,” Crandon affirmed. This information, he said, has been related to the police.

A police source revealed that a wanted bulletin for Shawn Rodney is expected to be sent to Suriname as early as possible.

This publication understands that the couple was engaged in an argument, during which the woman locked the man out of the house. After continuous knocking and pleading, she opened the door and the man ran in. It is believed that once inside, the man used a knife to cut her throat.

It was reported that her attacker used several knives.

According to a police press release issued on Tuesday afternoon, the woman’s body was found in the kitchen of the house and three blood-stained knives were found at the scene.

The man made his escape in vehicle PNN 9420 with a six-year-old boy. The child arrived safely at the home of relatives about three hours later.

The vehicle was found abandoned on the public road at Carlton Hall, Mahaicony, on the East Coast of Demerara.