Latest update November 8th, 2024 1:00 AM
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Jealous Cane-cutter slaughters three – one critical
By Romila Boodram and Neil Marks
The house where the brutal murder occurred
On the run: Joshua Franklin
A jealous cane cutter slaughtered his wife’s lover, his mother-in-law and nine-year-old step-daughter after forcing his way into a house at Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, at around 00:30 hrs yesterday.
The alleged killer, identified as Joshua Franklin, also hacked off his spouse’s left hand at the wrist and chopped her about the body before fleeing the scene.
The woman, Geeta Boodhoo, was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where she underwent surgery.
Those killed have been identified as 55-year-old Bibi Zalima Khan; her nine-year-old granddaughter, Ashley Boodhoo, and the alleged lover, Floyd Drakes, 30, all of Tuschen.
According to information received, Joshua Franklin smashed his way through the louvre panes of the house he once lived in with his reputed wife, four children and two step children, before beginning his rampage.
Once inside the house, it is alleged that the cutlass-wielding cane-cutter began to chop his spouse, her mother and her alleged lover who were reportedly consuming alcohol in the hall.
Khan and her granddaughter were reportedly slain in the house, while Drakes was killed in the backyard, next to an outhouse. His body was found some nine hours after police had located the other two victims.
It is believed that the grandmother was murdered in the living room and the nine-year-old met her death in the kitchen.
Dead: Floyd Drakes
Geeta Boodhoo, with whom Franklin is said to have shared a violent, seven-year relationship, rushed out of the house after being chopped and sought refuge at a friend’s home a few yards away.
She made it up the stairs of the house and once police showed up, she was rushed to the hospital where she remains in a critical condition.
The other five children managed to escape unhurt.
When ranks were called to the scene, they only noticed the bodies of the grandmother and granddaughter.
They had assumed that they were the only victims, and it was hours later that they found the third body lying in a clump of bushes in the yard.
This newspaper was told that Drakes, who worked as an upholsterer, met Boodhoo, a waitress, in a bar which is located opposite his place of employment, a few weeks ago.
Neighbours expressed shock at how the victims met their demise. They claimed that Franklin is “a quiet person”, who they never thought would do such a thing.
This newspaper was told that last October, Franklin was placed before the court for threatening his spouse.
Meanwhile, Shazeela Singh, Drakes’ reputed wife said that she is surprised at how her spouse met his death.
She said that she never suspected that her partner of two years was cheating on her.
She told Kaieteur News that around 18:00 hrs on Wednesday she called her reputed husband and asked him what time he would be home.
“He said he was coming just now, and at seven o’clock (19:00hrs) I called back and he said that he was coming now, but an hour passed and he still didn’t come home, so I was about to call again, but I run out of credit.”
The woman, who has two children from a previous relationship, said that she eventually learnt early yesterday about her husband’s fate.
“His cousin called me and tell me that she hear he get killed and she took me to the place and when I reach, I see he get chop up and deh in the bush.”
She further stated that while at the scene, she learnt that her spouse was having a relationship with another woman.
Up to press time police were still trying to locate the alleged killer.
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