A post-mortem examination has found that 21-year-old Kerrian Stanford, whose decomposing body was discovered in a shallow grave at Chelsea Park, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, died from asphyxia and severe spinal injuries.
The examination was conducted yesterday by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh.
Asphyxia is caused by a lack of oxygen and can occur in cases involving smothering or strangulation.
The findings come as police prepare to charge 24-year-old Travis James, a porter of Mahaica, who has reportedly admitted to killing his pregnant girlfriend during an argument before burying her body in a shallow grave after panicking. He is expected to make his first court appearance shortly.
Stanford’s body was discovered on Friday, one week after she was reported missing.
Her grieving mother, Lisa Pompey, had told Kiskadee Watch that the last time she saw her daughter was on July 1, when Stanford left home after her child’s father reportedly sent a vehicle to pick her up.
Pompey recalled speaking with her daughter by telephone later that morning, when Stanford told her she was in Mahaica collecting clothes and would return shortly. However, she never came home.
The family repeatedly attempted to contact her, but her phone was switched off. Pompey said she initially was not overly concerned because her daughter sometimes travelled to Berbice without informing relatives.
The family’s fears escalated on Friday after they received information that Stanford had allegedly been involved in an accident and was at the Mahaicony Hospital. Upon arriving, however, they learned the truth.
“When I go, is not accident. It appear like they kill she and bury she in a shallow grave,” Pompey said.
Stanford, the mother of one child, was also pregnant and was due to give birth on November 6.
Police have said investigators were led to the shallow grave behind a residence at Chelsea Park, Mahaica, after acting on information received. Preliminary investigations indicated that Stanford had visited the suspect’s home before she disappeared.
James was subsequently arrested at Enmore, East Coast Demerara, and remains in police custody pending the institution of charges.
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