By ALEXANDER BRUZUAL Thursday, July 29 2010

AUTOPSIES on the dismembered and decapitated bodies of Dianne Williams, 37, and her son Shaquille Morgan, eight, revealed that Williams died as a result of shock and haemorrhaging consistent with multiple gunshot and chop wounds while her son was killed by multiple chop wounds.

The autopsies were performed on Monday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James by Forensic Pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov after the remains were positively identified by Dianne’s sister Karon Williams.

A massive police hunt was underway in South Trinidad last night as officers got information that the prime suspect in the case was at a house. When they got to the house, it was empty. Police confirmed that eight persons including three women have been detained.

Overcome by seeing her sister’s head on a table, Williams ran out of the centre screaming: “Oh God, oh God, look what they to do my sister and nephew.”

The bodies were found in a muddy drain on July 21, at the Forres Park landfill at Claxton Bay, with both mother’s and son’s head missing. At the time of the discovery, corbeaux (vultures) were fighting over the remains. The boy’s upper body was found later in the drain with both hands still attached to the body. However, only one of his legs was found. The remains of both victims bore several stab wounds.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday, relatives indicated that Williams’ two surviving children have been moved to an undisclosed location as a means of precaution until the case is closed. Several persons have since been arrested by police who have been working around the clock on the case.

Relatives, who asked not to be identified, yesterday said although arrests have been made, the family is not sure that the actual killer is among those in custody and they are not taking any chances with the safety of Williams’ surviving children Jameel Reid, 17, and Shelly Ann Williams, 16.

“We are all living in fear, but we are most concerned about the children because of how Shaquille and his mother were killed. To do that to an eight-year-old, shows us that whoever is behind these murders would have no problem killing teenagers,” a relative said.

Senior Superintendent Robert Cummings and Cpl Peter Ramdeen of the Central Division and Homicide Bureau in San Fernando, respectively, are continuing investigations.

Police sources yesterday said they believe they are close to apprehending the main suspect in the matter. Acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert assured Newsday yesterday that steps had been put in place to ensure the welfare and safety of the remaining family members. Although he noted that he could not go into details, he explained that “the safety and preservation of life” were uppermost in the thoughts of the investigators.