(Jamaica Gleaner) Police investigators in New York in the United States have charged a Jamaican man they believe stabbed his elderly mother to death before burning her body and stuffing it in a closet.
According to the New York Daily News, Jason Reeves, 32, has been charged with murder in the brutal death of his 67-year-old mother Paulette Reeves and appeared in Brooklyn Supreme Court last Friday.
He was ordered held without bail.
Officials say Paulette Reeves’ body had stab wounds to the chest, face and eyes and was found up-side-down in a closet inside the Brooklyn home she shared with her son.
It’s reported that there was charring on the bathroom ceiling and tub as well as blood smears in the tub and elsewhere in the apartment.
The police reportedly went to the home to make a wellness check after the devout Christian and middle school lunch aide did not show up for work for several days and her colleagues became concerned.
Jason Reeves allegedly told police his mother was away in Florida.
He was interviewed by detectives from the 77th Precinct in Brooklyn and later charged.
According to neighbours, Paulette Reeves had a premonition her son would kill her.
“I don’t know what to do anymore. I think that boy’s going to kill me,” the New York Daily News quoted one neighbour as saying.
Another neighbour said Paulette Reeves tried to help her son, who they believe have a drug habit and mental issue.
“She sent him back home to Jamaica to get him help. He was in a car accident and he had a stroke. He came back crazy,” the neighbour said.