Three persons are in police custody in connection with the brutal murder of Samantha Ashby and it is suspected that she might have been attacked while on her way home from a social gathering during the wee hours of Tuesday.
Contacted yesterday, Crime Chief Leslie James told Stabroek News that police have a “number of people in custody”. He said that the matter is being investigated as a murder as the woman’s clothing was missing when she was found and from all indications she was apparently sexually assaulted.
The dead woman’s sister Madonna stated that all that they have heard so far is that three persons are in custody. She said that the post-mortem examination is scheduled for today. According to Madonna, there are buildings near where Ashby was found but persons in that area claimed not to have heard any screams or unusual noises prior to the discovery of the body. She said too that the police station is located a short distance away. She opined that her sister was more than likely killed between 2 am and 3 am while on her way home from socialising with friends. Her body was found behind the Matthews Ridge Community Centre around 10.45 am on Tuesday by some children who had ventured to the area to do some exercises.
It appeared as though Ashby, a 32-year-old resident of Pakera and mother of one was beaten as her body was bruised and her face swollen. Two condoms were found near the woman’s naked body.
Madonna told Stabroek News that previously women have been “banked” in the area but the attacks would not be reported to the police. She said that this is the first instance where a woman has been killed.
