Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
The piercing screams of anguish filled the air in Barrackpore yesterday as the bodies of murder victims Tara “Geeta” Ramsaroop and her one-year-old daughter, Shermaya Jada Motilal, arrived for a double funeral at the family’s home.
Their violent deaths, the result of a brutal chopping attack last Tuesday, left villagers and relatives overcome with grief. Both Ramsaroop and her baby were chopped to death. Ramsaroop’s common-law husband, Rishi Motilal, 29, has been charged with their murders. He appeared virtually at the South Criminal Court on Friday.
The decorated hearse carried a single casket bearing both bodies and was accompanied by the sound of Cocomelon’s Baby Shark, Shermaya’s favourite song.
Delivering the eulogy, Ramsaroop’s sister Annie Rajaram voiced her anger and despair. “I hope the Barrackpore police get justice and realise what they didn’t do to help her,” she cried, her voice breaking.
Rajaram’s voice trembled as she spoke. “I feel like I am seeing a ghost walking in my house, pulling down wares, breaking a glass bowl. Geeta was not just my sister; she was my whole life.
Every morning we would talk. We didn’t expect this,” she sobbed.
Emily, Shawn, and Jaden, Ramsaroop’s children, stood by the casket, tears streaming down their faces as they gazed at their baby sister and mother lying side by side, appearing as if they were only asleep.
Meanwhile, Ramsaroop’s friend and co-worker Eve Lemessy tearfully recounted the abuse Ramsaroop had endured. “I urged her to pray. She came to work with bruises. Nobody deserves to be abused or taken advantage of. How could someone hurt that baby? She was an angel. I babysat her two weeks ago. She didn’t cry or give trouble,” Lemessy wept.
Pastor Surase Calpu of In Christ Alone Ministries called on the community to help Ramsaroop’s children. “It’s not easy going through this. Friends and children from the school, Emily, Sean, and Jayden, are left behind. This is where the community comes in, to strengthen them in times of need,” he said.
“The last time I met Tara was last month. She asked me to pray with her. I prayed earnestly for her, not knowing what would happen in two months.” Reflecting on the violence that took their lives, Calpu said, “When you think about Shermaya, it hurts. This was pure violence. People are becoming more violent, disobeying God’s way. We must keep a relationship with God. After this life, we will meet Him and give an account of what we did.”
Meanwhile, Shaliza Mohammed, president of the Jaguars Sports Club, spoke of Ramsaroop’s impact on her teammates.
“She touched us deeply. She had a quiet strength and gave her heart to the game, played with skill and passion. She made sure each of us felt part of the team. Geeta left a mark with us. Jada brought love to us.”
Ramsaroop’s cousin Christine Mahadeo said Ramsaroop was always there in times of sorrow and happiness. “She was not just a cousin but an adopted sister of our family. Jada, our little dolly, the joy she brought into our life,” she cried. Gowtam Maharaj, chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation, called on the community to care for the children Ramsaroop left behind.
“We have a responsibility to care for them. I will stay close to the family and do what I can to make sure there is no repeat of this.” Pastor Roy Seeberan of the Church of Prophecy in Barrackpore encouraged mourners to turn to God in times of need. After the service, the bodies were cremated at Mosquito Creek.