The discovery of two decomposing bodies on Saturday have not dimmed the hopes of Gail Harford who believes that her mother Irma Rampersad and one of her sisters would be found alive. On Saturday, police found the bodies of Harford’s niece one-year-old Shania Amoroso and the body of woman nearby. Speaking with the media at her Emerald Drive, Arima home yesterday, Harford, the eldest of Rampersad’s seven children said her mother’s presence is still with her.
“I still have hope. I personally have a lot of hope because me and my mother were real close and I haven't felt that connection, that pain yet so I keeping hope,” Harford said. Rampersad, 49, and her 17-year-old daughter Felicia Gonzales, a student of Malabar Secondary School and 19-year-old Jenelle Gonzales, Shania’s mother were abducted from their Brasso Seco home on October 26.
Police believe a fugitive, aided by the family, is behind their disappearance and now double murder. Rampersad’s husband Peter Sylvester said his family would not assist a wanted man. He said if he knew of any fugitive in the area he would have gotten rid of them. Sylvester said he was certain that the body found was not that of his wife as there was a navel ring stud on the body and his wife’s navel was not pierced. Both relatives thanked the police for their diligence in searching for the family.
Harford’s godfather, Anthony Hernandez, 80, who spoke at his Paria home said Rampersad used to come to his home and chat over coffee and the idea that she and her daughters and granddaughter were abducted and possibly killed was just “nerving” to him. Hernandez, who has been living in the area for over 30 years said entire north coast community was concerned because “you never know what could happen next”.
Search to continue today
Police yesterday started their search for the remaining two relatives around 8 am near the spot where the first two bodies were found. The bodies they said were inside duffle bags at least two miles into the Brasso Seco forest, a hike down from the family’s home. The child’s skull, they said, was spilt in two and the woman had a piece of cloth in her mouth and a bullet wound to the face.
Yesterday’s search had to be cut short around 4.30 pm due to heavy rainfall. Police have four people in custody. The autopsies for the two bodies would be done today while police say they intend to continue their search for the missing two members of the family.
