HGP Nightly News – Police have arrested a 24-year-old porter as the family of 21-year-old Kerryann Standford revealed that she was pregnant when she was allegedly murdered and buried in a shallow grave at Chelsea Park, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.
The suspect, who remains in custody, has been identified by the family as the father of Standford’s young daughter.
In an interview with Credible Sources on condition of anonymity, a relative said Standford was expecting another child at the time of her death.
“She currently pregnant, so it’s a pregnant girl he bury there, kill and bury,” the relative said.
The family member said the pregnancy was evident when relatives identified Standford’s decomposed body.
Standford, who already had a young daughter, had been caring for her ailing grandfather before she left home on July 3, saying she would return.
Her mother reportedly spoke with her the following day. After that, the family lost contact with her.
According to the relative, the family did not immediately panic because Standford would sometimes leave home and return.
But their fears were confirmed when they were summoned to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital and realised they had been called to identify her body.
“We didn’t expect this,” the relative said. “It is very sad to know that you murder somebody and… bury her in a shallow grave.”
The relative said there had been no obvious sign that Standford’s relationship with the suspect would end in such tragedy.
Detectives are continuing their investigation into the killing.
Standford’s death has left relatives grieving both the young mother and her unborn child.
The family is now calling for a thorough investigation and stronger action to prevent relationship-related violence.
“We hope that the police and everybody does their investigation properly and get everything in place,” the family member said.
The relative added that many tragedies could be avoided if warnings about abusive relationships were taken more seriously.
