Five charges have been laid against two women after the mummified body of a senior citizen who died in 2023 was found at a house in Old Hope District, Little London, Westmoreland on Sunday, July 06.

Dead is 69-year-old Viola Destin of Good Hope District, Sheffield in the parish.

Charged in relation to her death are 54-year-old Gena Robinson of Old Hope District and 49-year-old Lavern Wedderburn of Rocky Hill in Sheffield, both in Westmoreland.

Police reports are that Wedderburn saw Destin begging in Savanna-la-Mar sometime in 2023 and told Robinson about her situation.

Robinson and Wedderburn then sought advice from a pastor overseas, and following his instructions, they started to care for Destin.

Shortly after, Destin became gravely ill and was moved to Robinson’s house in Old Hope District.

Destin died at Robinson’s home on Sunday, December 10, 2023.

Following her death, the women opted to conceal the body inside a room at the house and sprinkled it with chemicals and baking soda to keep the stench down.

One of Ms. Robinson’s relatives reportedly stumbled upon a makeshift grave at the house on July 06, and summoned the police.

On the arrival of the lawmen, Ms. Destin’s mummified remains were found covered beneath sheets, plastic and tarpaulin.

The scene was processed, and the remains taken to the morgue pending a post-mortem.

Robinson was taken in custody on July 6, while Wedderburn was arrested three days later.

After giving caution statements they were charged yesterday with concealment of a corpse, preventing the lawful burial of a corpse, perverting the course of justice ,conspiracy to concealment of a corpse and conspiracy to prevent the lawful burial of a corpse.

The police say the women also confessed to the roles they played during a question-and-answer sessions in the presence of two justices of the peace.

A court date has not yet been finalised for Wedderburn and Robinson.