Police are investigating an alleged murder committed on Romona Lall, a 32-year-old woman from Lot 1503 Kilcoy Chesney, Corentyne, Berbice, which occurred between 17:50hrs yesterday and 12:15hrs today at Sunset Hotel located in Kitty, Georgetown.
According to Khersattie Bettencort, the proprietor of Sunset Hotel, the victim and an identifiable male companion went into the hotel at around 17:55 hrs yesterday and booked a room. They were given the keys to the room, which is situated on the first floor, and they were expected to book out at 12:00hrs today. However, at 20:07 hrs last night, the identifiable male exited the room alone and left the hotel.
According to the Receptionist at the hotel, at about 07:00 hrs this morning, she reported for work and took over duties from another Receptionist. She then checked the overnight sheet and observed that 11 persons had to check out of the hotel at 12:00hrs. At about 12:15hrs today, she observed that the victim did not check out from Room 4, and as such, she decided to make checks. The Receptionist said she knocked on the door and called out but got no answer.
She then took another key, opened the room door, and saw the victim lying motionless on the floor, naked. She immediately informed the owner of the hotel and summoned the police.
A broken Guinness bottle and a 592 beer bottle were seen on the floor. What appeared to be blood stains were seen on the bed and walls of the room.
Emergency medical technicians responded to the scene, and the victim was pronounced dead by Doctor Rampersaud of Georgetown Public Hospital. The scene was photographed and processed by detectives. The body of the deceased was examined for marks of violence, and one stab wound was seen to the left side of the chest with a broken Guinness bottle head was seen in the wound. There were also abrasions to the lower abdomen and three stab wounds to her back.
Detectives have extracted CCTV footage from cameras on the building, which captured when the victim and the male suspect entered the hotel and when the male left the hotel.
The body is presently lying at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
