Law enforcement here has begun investigations into what they refer to as a “grotesque incident” which left 46-year-old Marilyn McLawrence of Portsmouth dead.
Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Superintendent Claude Weekes, told state-owned DBS Radio on Thursday that investigations have started and he is vowing that whoever is responsible will be brought to justice.
“We have begun our investigations into the suspicious death of 46-year-old Marilyn McLawrence of Portsmouth,” he said.
He described the incident as “grotesque,” pointing out that investigations into such matters are not rushed.
“It has to be done meticulously; it is a painstaking exercise and it has to be done professionally in such a way that whoever is responsible will be brought to justice,” he stated. “But we are well on the way with the investigation.”
He also mentioned that the rank and file members of the police force are condemning the incident and he has given the assurance that the police are “working robustly to solve this gruesome crime.”
According to Weekes, between 7:00 and 7:40 pm on September 30, the Portsmouth police responded to a report at Glanvillia and McLawrence was found at the alleged scene of the crime.
I am deeply saddened by the news of Marilyn’s death. A young lady whom I got to know through Netball. Always smiling , always pleasant, agreeable and more so a young lady who always shared a word of encouragement. What ever happened I hope this will be solved sooner than later. May her soul rest in Peace. My deepest condolences to her family. May you find strength and courage to cope with this trying moment. Only God knows, Keep reaching out to him always.
i am really sadened to hear what is taking place back home in Dominica..i am a Dominican living in europe wo once served as a police officer back home,i knew the victim because we are from the area of residence,and she was a very kind person,always with a smile and happy.i do not know the circumstances surrounding this incident,but this was no way for a person to lose their life.i hope that the investigations into this matter will be effective and that a serious example will be made of the assailant by law.R:I:P Marilyn.
Dominica has lost it. It is not one of the safest place anymore.
in the mean time the police can watch the FIRST 48 and learn how to investigare a crime…my condolences
Its bad enough to read about such a brutal murder in Dominica, but to know that the person or victim of such violence is my cousin Marilyn McLawrence. My heart is breaking, I cannot get over this. I still cannot believe this has happened…why and in my beloved Dominica. Obviously, serious crime happens wherever you go and I have been naive in believing that Dominica was one of the safest places ever,,, but now,,, well… I don’t know,, RIP Marilyn xxx cousin
When we think that some of our loved ones have passed on and still more to come until our time arrives and how much we have grieved for them and still do, never to see them again on this earth; never to hear them smile, laugh, speak and to hear their voice, it hurts to know what has occurred to Marilyn and to visualize the grief of her family and others who knew her. Her passing was not a normal one.
Marilyn, you were a human being, going about your business, minding your own business, returning home eagerly to your family when this murderer struck you down.
How could anyone be so heartless as to murder another? I pray, Lord may the murderer be caught soon. Please help!
The people of Portsmouth have reasons to be concerned. Please be careful and watch where you walk and when alone. Importantly, pray that the Police investigation will be fruitful, that the murderer be caught, never to be bailed out and you could live your life, walk around and sleep in peace.
May this be the last time anything such as this occur in your community, in Dominica on the whole. God bless you and protect you!
I have read all of the comments and I must admit that my people have become heartless, insensitive and too politically corrupt that they cannot make a comment without leaving the politics out of the incident. IT IS SO SAD.
No matter what, an incident occurred and a citizen has been killed.
To the family, my sympathy goes out to you. To the community of Portsmouth please assist the police and show some concern.
We are still Dominicans together. If you are not sure look for your document which stats place of birth or country of birth and tell me.
Cut the crap! Extend some sympathy to the family and let law enforcement do their investigations.
As citizens call the 1 800 number and pass some information on.
Then we can say we are concerned.
Think about that!
TO ALL THE WOMEN
WHO YOU ARE
A WOMAN, WHO ARE YOU?
You are beautiful,smart, funny, kind ,unique. You are worthy of love and affection .You are never too much and you are always enough . You are preccious , a diamond , a rose , a pearl , the most stunning of all God’s creation.Your worth surpasses all eartthly things because in the eyes of God you are loved, ,you are worth more than yoou imagine . Whether you love yourself or love your life , you feel like everything is falling apart , or you are such a winner or the biggest failure ,regardless of who you perceive yourself, the reality is that you deserve some one in your life who will respect , love and adore you because you are POWERFUL, STRONG and CAPABLE. Read about the women in the bible , Esther , Maryy , Martha, Ruth , these women changed the woorld for ever and inside of you , each and evry one of you is a WOMAAN with that same Power , that same Strength, that same changing Capability to find that Woman and to set that woman free . THIS IS WHO YOU ARE . Any voice in your mind that tells you differently is a voice from the enemy (satan) so say to hiim, I am a child of the living God cherished and loved above all thiings , by the creator of all things for the glory of him who is greater than all things. I AM AWEESOME . THIS WHO WE ARE . PLEASE ALWAYS REMEMBER . LOVE YOU ALL.. BE CONSOLED.
Bernadette Martin.
Hope we do not have a serial killer in Portsmouth. We need a candle vigil in Portsmouth . A S A P.
Marilyn – I am speechless. Such a wonderful person to have your life cut so short. I am deeply saddened by your sudden death. My deepest sympathy to the Bridgewater family in Bathesstate. You are in my thoughts. I will reach out to you by telephone soon. Ma Bridgewater keep strong. Maria, I feel your pain loosing your twin sister. You guys were so close and last time I saw the both of you, you still made me feel like I was still part of the family even though it is so many years. I really wish I could be there in person to support you especially Ma Bridgewater. I can feel your pain. Please be strong. The whole family are in my prayers. Keep strong and god bless you all. Daphne A.
Hello to my people ,
If you are really concern about my friend’s deathb, you would immediately stop all these nonsense politics talk and go out there , listen , gather information relating to her death and convey what info. to the police . After the community must work together with the police to combat crimes and infractions of anti social behavior . It is the Duty of all citizens to ensure safety of the land remain predominant . Stop removing your individual function from yourselves and replacing by playing blame game.
and what about the investigation of the poor lil lady with 3 kids that was brutally murdered in lagoon and her body was met in a alley way of a man house????? mr chief of police ???? how bout all the unsolved murders ?? why is it that your c.i.d cannot solve murders ? why is it that proper investigation cant be done? what about sending your officers to train profesionally in investigation so they could solve crime?? what is going on in that police force?
I honestly hope that the family will at some point find peace again. May the perpetrator of this terrible act be haunted by this to the point where he/she either manifests their suffering in plain public view or feel such overwhelming remorse that they have no option but to come forth and admit to that which they did. This beautiful soul, this lovely person did not deserve this sort of treatment and her family does not deserve this deafening silence from the person responsible. May they all find peace, AMEN.
We have become a lost nation with no soul. A beautiful Mother, wife, sister has her life cut short in such a violent and tragic manner and rather than bringing some comfort to the family, you people engage in this nonsensical political rhetoric.. This is Distateful and obsene!!! RIP “M”
that deed is a babaric one we have no place in dominica for this type of isis behaviour.
I feel the pain of your family, your friends and everyone who knew you recognised the gem in you. It hurts that I’m going to have to remember you left the world this way, truly hurts. May your soul rest in peace and may the perpetrator be brought to full justice.
On another note…WOMANkind ought to be very, very, VERY careful of the friends and companions they keep for the heart of MANkind is desperately wicked.
This comments about politics are rather insensitive. That tells you what Dominica has become. Everything is politics. May the woman dole RIP. Hope there is justice whether now or later. Cases have been closed for years in the US and justice get served. Hopefully it won’t take years for this person to face justice. My prayers are with you the family.
Alas I feel so sad may god bless her children her husband and her whole family …I know ur pain
her husband ? hmm
Yes! Her husband. Smh at the person actually posting this ridiculous comment
Is this the same MP of Portsmouth who once said Development comes with crime .Is this Development ? Mr MP Please think before you speak .
You guys are so disrespecfulnto the dead. What has murder got to do with DLPvor U WP alas papa why not ask God that she should rest in peace. None of the previous writers mentioned the poor lady or paid tribute, but you both touched on the pary fot Portsmouth shame on you guys. I hope all you guys troubles will be small ones
R.I.P. ma’am and whoever is responsible for this needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
RIP Ms McLawrence….. To the family and friends my greatest condolences go to you…. May the Lord deal with who ever did this mischievous deed.
A question to those who seem to be in another planet they created, what does politics have to do with this? Why don’t we stop blaming people and work to make our country better?
You can say that again “Investigations are only rushed if it is a high profile family or person in DA.” And then they fade away.
what the **** are you talking about? so many “high profile” people get murdered and police don’t rush and cases still unsolved….shut up if you dont have condolences to give or sumthing good to say……
I don’t like calling people stupid but I will leave it at uneducated. These officers are working round the clock trying to solve the murder. Without the assistance of the public the police is nothing so since u have not condolences I suggest u say nothing. hold strong Strong papa smurf take care of yur sisters
RIP MS MARILYN
My heart goes out to the family and friends of the decease, but one thing the police or dno failed to mention is who she died.
It is very sad what is happening in Portsmouth. Every year we are hearing of these awful crimes coming from Portsmouth. You all don’t realise you are putting ROSS on high alert. Can you imagine if they moved out? I think is all those artist they like to bring to Portsmouth that have an evil spirit behind them, that just lingering in Portsmouth, there are living demons there. It is SAD.
Nonesense. This is the work of derranged psychopaths who lack empathy and love for life and for others. Music has nothing to do with it. If we keep shifting our focus from the root of the problem to cast blame on entities that are easily demonized we will never solve these problems. We will just keep playing the blame game while such atrocities keep happening
Word spreads very fast in the Ross community and this makes students and their families on edge.
Isn’t it ironic that when police kill someone,we don’t see such tough words coming from the police.
This is a very heartbreaking incident to happen to such a lovely person. I keep reading over and over in such shock that I puked over and over. Marilyn and I grew up together as children. I migrated to the US and whenever I visited Dominica i made sure to chat with her. I hope that justice will prevail because no one deserves to die like this and stain the image of our beautiful Island. May your beautiful soul rest in peace. To her family, God is always greater.
how did she die? was she shot or hung? i find the police report very poor. i am left wondering what happened.
but why every time something happen in the country people blaming the government, we need to do something about the lunatics walking around our children and stop blame the government or the opposition for our stupidity
Don’t worry with these people that give thumbs down they know is the truth but decided not to deal with it. There minds are so corrupt and nagative minded people let them stay in there mess to bad this is where most people get their dollar from and this is medical school
Oh!!! this mountainous land of my birth. How i use to brag about you, Crime free. I can no longer boast anymore, those days are gone.
My heartfelt sympathy to all the family.
Ok Weekes. While your guys at it please ensure that whoever is responsible for killing the Ettiene guy is also brought to justice. Justice for all!
not too long ago ian Douglas justify the crime wave in Portsmouth by saying ( where their is development you will find increase in crime) will some one please tell us what development there is in Portsmouth except those of close member of the labour party.
Ian Douglas should have stated, when people become more godless daily, there will be crimes.
Where did Claude Weekes earn the English language- My God, the woman is dead, “Suspicious Death’, her cause of death may be, but her condition now is not. Claude, i have been listening to you more attentively lately and you have to go re-do English 101.
‘Suspected death’ might be inappropriate but ‘suspicious death’ could definitely work!
If we stop personalizing the problem in our country bringing politics into everything we will not solve or aid the prevention of such behaviours and activities. so lets put aside those political business for a while and reviews what is going on and get solutions please. It maybe one of our own things happen too lets prevent those things in Jesus name
Where did this happen so I know to stay away from that area?
Rip
Portsmouth again man! These days we seem to have a murder in the second town every other month if not every month. This is the DLP stronghold my friends so much so that Ian Douglas is on record saying “ Portsmouth constituency belongs to the Dominica Labour Party.”
He stated that Portsmouth has been voting Labour for the past 60 years and will do so for another 60 years “under Roosevelt Skerrit.”“Because he is young, he is not even 50 yet, he has another 30 years to go.” Ian and Skerrit, during the reign of the DFP from 1980-1995, I cannot remember any one being murdered in Portsmouth. Then during the reign of UWP from 1995-2000, I still cannot remember any one being murdered in Portsmouth. Since Skerrit and Ian took over from 2004 to date, I can easily remember 15 brutal murders in Portsmouth, at a time when the DLP is in power, and Portsmouth belongs to the DLP. Does one have to graduate from a university to see that Skerrit, Ian, and Reggie have no answer whatsoever to what is taking place in Portsmouth? Man it is just time to kick these guys out because if they CANNOT take care of something they refer to as their belonging, then how will they take care and solve the problems of those that might not be theirs? Don’t tell me to leave politics out because it is poor politics and policies that manifesting themselves
You ignorant fool. Bringing in the same politics talk. It is because of people like you Dominica is so backward
Wow looks like its DLP causing the increase in murder around the world! Idiot stop involving politics in everything. There is only so much that the government can do. None of the politicians held the individuals hand that night to help them kill the lady! What we need to do as Dominicans is pray. The end is near!
From your statement I can tell that you are as idiotic as the leaders of the party you support.
I am fed up with you people insinuating that its the Pm who causes all the evil that occurs in the hearts of men. When are people going to accept responsibility for their action. God forbid I wake up tomorrow and decide to do something bad its the government fault smh.
@madfox ki la wapwap, I NEVER BLAMED the PM for this brutal murder. I blamed them for not taking a step to ensure that Portsmouth is not seen and known as leader of bloodshed in Dominica. Ian Douglas is from Portsmouth, is the minister for tourism and is the minister responsible for legal affairs. Skerrit on the other hand is the PM, Minister of Finance and I believe miniser of national security. Portsmouth they say belongs to them. If all the above are true then why not take steps to protect the image of possie? If your house is leaking, who do you expect to fix it? If your car is always broken down who will people blame? Stop being politically stupid and hypocrite!
Fair comment..
To expound.. Ian Douglas is on record as saying that “there is not development without an increase in crime”!
Government did not tell this monster to kill the woman. Stop blaming the Government for every wrong thing that evil people do.
@ see, I never said government told this guy to kill the woman. I did not blame the government for the death. I blamed them for not being able to come with up with solutions to the brutal murders that are taking place in Portsmouth. After all, Ian Douglas recently said in the St Joe rally that Portsmouth belongs to the DLP and Skerrit. So when something belongs to you what is why not put things in place to ensure good service? If I have a car that is always broken down, will you not say I cannot fix my car? You bunch of hypocrites!
Oh my God, can a person really make a political comment like this in a situation where so many families and friends are hurting over a lost one? How heartless!! The persons making these comments and the persons giving thumbs up are capable of even worse crime than the person/s who ,murdered the woman.
God help us in Dominica where man has become so hungry for political power that they seem to have lost all human love and compassion. What a sad state!!
@what a shame, where did I blame the government for this brutal death? Why not respond to the concerns I raised? It is a fact that in St Joe this year, Ian Douglas said Portsmouth belongs to the DLP and will be for the next 60 yrs. It is a fact that under this Ian Douglas/ Skerrit led DLP, more blood has been shed on the streets of Portsmouth than all administrations combined including blood shed at the police station. It is a fact that from 2004 – present more blood has been shed in Portsmouth than anywhere in Dominica. My point is, if you know Portsmouth belongs to you according to Ian Douglas, then why not take steps to protect Portsmouth? Protecting Possie might mean more street lights, more police / security presence on streets and dark corners, and more severe punishment for convicted criminals. What about that is political? What political power am I hungry for? FYI, I am from Portsmouth and migrated to the USA for more than 30 yrs. Stop being silly and hypocrite man. If some thing is not done to stop or curb the blood shed on the streets of Portsmouth, they will cause visitors to be afraid of coming to the second town.
Portsmouth is the town where Skerrit, Ian, Austrie, Mano, bobbles, and other friends of the party have their businesses, and yet they cannot come with one single solution to combat the brutal murders that are taking place in Portsmouth month after month. One thing though, they cannot blame this one on the demons of Tommy Lee Sparta. This has to be their own demon that rubbing on the town.
Spoken like a true ‘Hater’ You should be proud of the filth that you are spewing.
Seriously!!!
you are an idiot, abiiiiiiiiiiig foooooooooooool