The Frome police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the brutal slaying of 81-year-old Gwendolyn Suckra at her home in Barham, Westmoreland, on Wednesday afternoon.

The police say Ms. Suckra was at home with her grandson about 4:00 p.m. when the youngster left for a nearby shop. On his return about five minutes later, he found his grandmother lying face down in the dining room in a pool of blood.

Residents shocked

She had sustained injuries, believed to be inflicted by a blunt instrument, to the back of her head and left side of her face. She was taken to the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Yesterday, family members and residents of the community were shocked and livid over the situation. They questioned what could have possessed an individual to kill a woman of that age and in such a manner.

"I would like whoever did this to be brought to justice," remarked Andrea Perue, a niece of Ms. Suckra. "It is very sad for Jamaica to be in this state of crime and violence. I am calling on the people who are in church to pray for us here in Jamaica for peace."