Slain Venezuelan cremated

Through social media, many relatives and friends of slain Venezuelan, Joanna Francisa Diaz Sanchez, virtually attended the funeral held in San Fernando on Friday afternoon, one day after a man faced a magistrate charged with the murder.

Missionary RC priest from the Diocese of Carúpano, Fr Gutemberg Tosca Barahona officiated in Spanish at JE Guide Funeral Home and Crematorium at Coffee Street. Owing to covid19 regulations, only ten people, including the victim's teenage daughter, were allowed inside.

A representative from the St Dominic’s RC Church in Penal and mourners live-streamed the funeral. It included a slide show with photos and remarks from bereaved relatives.

"Everything is over, and now your shattered family is left," a message from the slide said in Spanish.

"We love you and we will always love you."

Another said, "We will always carry you in our hearts. Fly high my beauty."

The closed-coffin had a photo of Sanchez and red roses on top.

Barahona quoted extensively from the bible telling mourners not to let their hearts be troubled.

He described the death as tragic, adding that one day everyone has to leave this earthly world. He encouraged mourned to believe in God.

"Jesus said I am going to prepare a place for you."

Sanchez, originally from Tucupita, was born on January 10, 1987. A cousin, speaking at the funeral, referred to her as the princess of the family. The cousin shared fond memories of them spending together growing up.

"She was a good cousin, sister, friend, and mother," the cousin said.

Sanchez was cremated and relatives hope to send her ashes to Venezuela after TT’s borders reopen.

Last Saturday, police found her decomposing body in a cesspit at the accused man’s home at Santa Clara Road in Preysal. He allegedly confessed to dumping her there. Some days before, relatives reported her missing.

An autopsy found that the cause of death was inconclusive.

On Thursday, Calvin John Bahadur, 35, faced a Couva magistrate virtually charged with the murder. He was remanded into custody, considering that murders are non-bailable offences in TT.

Cpl Smith of the Homicide Bureau Region III supervised investigations, and WPC Knights laid the charge.