Senior Reporter
anna-lisa.paul
@guardian.co.tt
Ten days after the bodies of two Hispanic women were discovered in a shallow grave in Cunupia, another woman has been found murdered—this time, her body dumped in a drain in Enterprise, Chaguanas.
The latest victim has been identified as 34-year-old Valene Vanessa Campbell of College Road, El Dorado.
While the circumstances surrounding Campbell’s death remain unclear, initial reports indicate she was shot in the back.
Officers acting on information went to Gibbs Trace Extension, Enterprise, around 7.45 pm on Friday and found the victim lying in a concrete drain.
She was wearing a pair of grey jeans and a purple T-shirt.
2 men killed in Morvant and Matura
In a separate murder in Morvant, the body of 20-year-old Tyrek Barrow of Laventille Road Extension, was found around 3 am yesterday.
Meanwhile, an unidentified man was killed during a shooting at Thomas Trace, Matura on Friday night, while a second man was shot in the foot.
DCP: Police working to solve murders
Contacted on the matter yesterday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Junior Benjamin sought to reassure the public that police are working tirelessly to solve every murder case.
He revealed that, as of 10 am yesterday, there were 99 fewer murders compared to the same period last year—a decline he credited to the dedication of officers and the quality of intelligence being received.
As of yesterday, seven murders had been recorded for the month of July—compared to 13 during the same period in 2024, and eight in 2023.
While the numbers show a decrease, Benjamin stressed that this does not lessen the seriousness of the situation.
He said, “We have seen an increase in shootings and homicides, the strategy of the TTPS remains focused on increasing police visibility, acting swiftly on effective intelligence, and completing holistic investigations to ensure we minimise and in some cases, dismantle and disrupt the criminal elements.”