(Trinidad Guardian) A 29-year-old woman from Morvant was found dead, submerged in a barrel of water with a gun in her hand, at her home on Thursday night.
Police are yet to classify the exact cause of death. However, preliminary investigations reveal that Shannon Whyte was found dead after a domestic argument with a close male relative, at their Mon Repos Road home.
According to a police report, at about 9:50 pm on Thursday July 1st, police officers who arrived on the scene were told that Whyte was found by her close male relative submerged in a barrel of water.
When questioned, the man told police that he saw something looking like a wig floating in the barrel and when he attempted to retrieve the wig, he discovered that it was Whyte.
On removing the body from the barrel, officers saw that Whyte was holding a firearm in her right hand. Her right elbow was bent, and her hand was pointing upward, holding the firearm with her thumb on the trigger.
The District Medical Officer visited the scene, viewed the body, made the pronouncement and ordered its removal for a post-mortem at the Forensic Science Centre.
Crime scene personnel processed the scene and retrieved one Glock 23 Firearm, one .40 spent shell casing lodged in the firearm and 20 rounds of .40 calibre ammunition in the magazine.
Further enquiries revealed that Whyte and the close male relative had had an altercation on Wednesday June 30th.
A relative had visited their home at 4 pm on Thursday and reportedly heard noises coming from inside but said he had not seen anyone.
Police are yet to determine whether Whyte was murdered or if her death self-inflicted.
Whyte formerly worked at the Daily News Limited (Newsday), in Port-of-Spain, and was described as a very pleasant and quiet person who was always smiling.
One of Whyte’s friends thanked her on social media for “all the wonderful memories…you were truly special…love you always. Sleep in Peace, Shannon Whyte.”
