Sascha Wilson
Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
Homicide detectives are still trying to identify who killed businesswoman Veronica De Leon and why.
A police source confirmed that there were no suspects in custody and no official statements were recorded from relatives as of yesterday afternoon.
The suspects’ white AD wagon has also not been recovered, police said.
De Leon, 43, a mother of four, was ambushed and shot dead shortly after 6 am on Saturday, as she left her home in her Range Rover at Jinjul Street, Phillipine, near San Fernando.
De Leon’s husband, Nestor De Leon, owned De Leon Bananas Ltd, but died from COVID-19 last January. Several posts on De Leon’s Facebook page suggest that following her husband’s death there was a feud with her husband’s relatives over his estate.
In one of the posts, De Leon wrote, “I wanna take this time to really post this. I’ve been trying to survive since my husband died to survived. My kids and I have been through hell and back. All that has been done for my kids is me.”
She posted about her husband’s relatives believing that he left her with millions, but she said any claim for money has to go through her lawyers.
In another social media post, a relative of De Leon’s husband complained that they have been unable to partake in his wealth. The relative said they had no issue with her, nor were they attacking her, but was hoping they could reach an agreement.
Attempts by Guardian Media through Facebook and on the phone to get a response from De Leon’s relatives and her husband’s relatives were unsuccessful yesterday.
But several people who knew her and even strangers took to social media, expressing shock and outrage over her cold-blooded murder.
One social media user described the person responsible for her murder as a coward.
She said, “A woman with such a beautiful heart vs a coward who felt they can only win by killing her.”
She empathised with De Leon’s children, who have been left orphans.
“You fight until the end. You worked so hard on a daily basis. Life and people are too unfair and heartless. My heart crumbles for your kids and mom. May God protect your kids and give them strength to face this tragedy,” she posted.
She prayed for justice through God.
“No justice can be served for your loss but I prayer that the one above deal with them accordingly.”
The woman added that De Leon would forever be etched in her memory.
“I will remember the beautiful soul you are, the woman of class, admired for being always well put together and our last joke, laughter and smile hours before they took you. Fly high,” she posted.
Another friend, Hesper Alidarsoo, posted, “OH Allison Deleon ...you left without saying goodbye because you weren’t ready ...What they did to you have those who love, cared, knows you, laugh and cried with you, seen what you have been through my friend...they took you away...God must have a plan, just waiting for it to unfold... The Almighty never makes mistakes...we just got to trust in his process as heart wrenching as it is ... we’ll rejoice mark my word.”
CCTV footage of the incident showed De Leon trying to escape when she realised her life was in danger. Seconds after she drove off from in front her home and slowed down at the end of her street, a white AD wagon came from the opposite direction and stopped in front her vehicle. An occupant armed with a gun exited and ran towards her van. De Leon reversed almost to her front gate, with the AD wagon and gunman chasing her. The wagon stopped alongside her van. The camera did not pick up the gunman, but seconds later, he ran back into the wagon, which then sped off. There were bullet holes in the driver’s side window of her vehicle. She died on the spot.
Police confirmed that De Leon did not report any threats against her.
An autopsy is expected to be done this week at the Forensic Science Centre in Port-of-Spain.
Officers of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region 3 are investigating.
