By CECILY ASSON Friday, June 22 2012

MICHELLE COUDRAY-GREAVES was murdered. This was confirmed following a second autopsy performed yesterday in Jamaica with the attending pathologist stating that a blow to the side of the head, with a blunt instrument, caused Coudray-Greaves’ death.

According to Jamaica’s Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Steve Brown, Coudray-Greaves, 39, died from injuries to the right side of her head. The badly burnt remains were released to Coudray-Greaves’ mother, San Fernando Mayor Marlene Coudray, following the autopsy.

The first autopsy, done days after the corpse was found in a burnt canefield in Montego Bay, St James, Jamaica on June 11 had proven inconclusive.

Coudray-Greaves’ burnt body was discovered by farmers in a canefield in Montego Bay St James on June 11. Her body was identified by way of dental records provided by Coudray who has been in Jamaica since last week Wednesday.

Coudray-Greaves, a mother of three, had been missing from her Cornwall Courts Montego Bay apartment since June 2. She had only returned to Jamaica on May 30. Yesterday, following a two- hour long service Coudray-Greaves was cremated at the Dovecot Chapel and Crematorium in Montego Bay.

Detective Cpl Marc Mullings who is also a religious minister, officiated at the service which was organised by the Jamaican Police Force. Among those attending the service yesterday was Coudray-Greaves’ estranged husband Shane Greaves who sat next to Coudray and her (Coudray) companion Larry Achong. The service began at 2 pm (Trinidad time).

In a brief address, Coudray thanked all of her daughters friends for the care and support they gave to Coudray-Greaves during the time she lived and worked in Jamaica. According to Coudray, Jamaica was where Michelle always wanted to be.

“God knows best. We are not supposed to question God in his wisdom. I have to take it one day at a time but yes, it is difficult for me and for the family but I have three grandchildren and they always wanted to stay with me,” Coudray said.

Reporter Janet Silvera of Jamaica daily newspaper The Gleaner, who attended the funeral told Newsday that the gathering was a very intimate one.

“There were just about 30 persons. Staff and students of Cornwall College where Michelle taught Spanish and French and her co-workers of Air Jamaica were those who paid tribute,” Silvera said. Silvera described Mrs Coudray as a “remarkably strong woman”, who held up well during the service when everyone was crying. Also speaking at the funeral was Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner to Jamaica Dr Iva Gloudon. Coudray is expected back home today. A second funeral service has been planned for tomorrow at 2 pm at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church on Harris Promenade in San Fernando.