Daughter of slain Preysal teacher: I forgive him

Despite the name-calling by social media users to refer to the suspect in the murder of Preysal school teacher, Suzette Sylvester, her daughter, had no negative comments to make against him, and forgives him for the crime.

Sylvester’s 25-year-old daughter, who asked to be unnamed, considered him an excellent role model, a good father, and a professional.

"I forgive him, and whatever happened, I still love him. He is nice to everybody," she said.

"The family is trying to focus on the good things. That is what would pull the family through. I still have not come to terms with it yet. The family, just like myself, is still in shock."

The suspect, a relative, gave himself up to Chaguanas police on Monday, and remained in custody up to Wednesday.

Sylvester, 48, was bludgeoned to death with a hammer early on Monday at her home at Mowlah Trace Extension, Preysal. The mother of two, she  worked as an English and literature teacher at Preysal Secondary School. She previously taught at the El Dorado West Secondary School.

Hours before the gruesome discovery, relatives reported that the two had a heated argument.

The daughter, who lives in Chaguanas, said she does not know what triggered the attack saying the suspect is not a violent person. He has a good rapport with clients and is always busy doing something, she said.

"Up to 7 pm on Sunday when I visited, the two were fine. There was no quarrelling or anything. He was a little quiet. (Name called) is not a violent person," said the woman.

"He had his little tantrums. He would think things by himself. His way of processing emotions was to keep things to himself or sometimes over talk about it. He had very few friends, but very good friends."

The woman praised Sylvester, saying, like the suspect, she was a role model to her and many people.

"There is only so much we would say about her. She too was my role model. Some students did not have devices or wi-fi, and she encouraged them to come and do work at her home.

"She would make lunch and share it with them. She was also a mother figure to them. (Suspect's name) loves to have people around."

The woman recalled that one of Sylvester’s past students visited the family’s home on Tuesday, saying she inspired him to become a teacher.

"He said she made him love teaching," the woman said.

An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday at the Forensic Sciences Centre in St James.

Homicide Bureau Region III police are investigating.