The Police are investigating a horrific murder/suicide and attempted murder that claimed the lives of three members of the LaCruz family and left another critically injured. The incident occurred at about 21:10 hrs on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Ideal Road, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
Dead are 25-year-old Maline LaCruz, who sustained multiple injuries to her back, breast, and throat; her 50-year-old mother, Waveney LaCruz, who suffered suspected gunshot wounds to the head, breast, and right hand; and Maline’s 16-year-old sister, SueAnn LaCruz, who was wounded in the breast and lower back. Maline’s brother, 23-year-old Seon LaCruz, survived the attack but remains in critical condition after being shot in the shoulder and jaw. He is currently undergoing emergency surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
The alleged shooter has been identified as Parmanand Ramdehol, the reputed husband of Maline LaCruz and the father of her two youngest sons, aged three and four. Maline also had an eight-year-old son from a previous relationship. Ramdehol was found dead inside the home’s sitting area with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. Next to his body, police recovered a 9mm APX Beretta pistol, along with five live rounds in the magazine and one in the breach. A small uncorked bottle emitting a noxious smell was also found nearby. At this time, it is unclear whether Ramdehol was licensed to carry a firearm.
According to a relative who had accompanied the family earlier in the day, Maline, her two younger children, and SueAnn had visited a creek along the Linden Highway before heading to Soesdyke Junction. There, they encountered Ramdehol, who arrived on a motorcycle. The group later returned to Maline’s home, where the relative observed Ramdehol arrive once again and enter the house. Moments later, an argument reportedly broke out between him and Maline, followed by several loud explosions suspected to be gunshots. The relative fled the scene with the children.
Police from the Timehri Station responded and processed the scene, where they recovered seven spent 9mm shells, two warheads, and several metal fragments. The firearm and ammunition were lodged at the Timehri Police Station. The bodies of Maline, Waveney, and SueAnn LaCruz were taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where they were pronounced dead, before being transported to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home for post-mortem examinations.
Investigations have since revealed that this was not the first time Ramdehol was involved in a violent altercation with Maline. On January 9, 2025, he was arrested and charged by police for wounding and threatening her. He was remanded to prison but was later granted bail. Coincidentally, the matter was called in court earlier on the same day of the fatal attack—Wednesday, April 23, 2025—before being adjourned to a later date.
The crime scene remains cordoned off and under police guard as investigations continue into this deeply disturbing tragedy.
