Elderly resident found murdered in her home
When 78-year-old Barbara Archer did not show up for church on Sunday, her neighbours knew that something was wrong.
When they made checks, their worst fears were realised. The body of Archer, known affectionately as ‘Miss Babs’, was found Monday morning in her King Weston, St Andrew, home; she had been murdered. She was last seen on Saturday evening when she stopped at a shop to get six eggs, a ginger biscuit, biscuits and bread – all of which were discovered with her body. According to reports, Archer, who was known for her kindness and generosity, had plans to go to church and see her daughter this week. Her niece, Francine Wedderburn, who described her aunt as a second mother, was completely shaken.
“I don’t want to go around there again. I don’t want to see the spot,” Wedderburn said tearfully. She described the moment she was told her aunt was dead.
“I was there assuming that maybe her pressure went up, because we know she had high blood pressure, and she fell,” Wedderburn said. “When they called me, I thought she had just dropped down, but the police did not allow me to see her. When I went to the station they confirmed she was dead.”
Wedderburn said that when Tranquility Funeral Home came and took the body, she was told to come to the station.
“And that’s when they revealed that her throat was slashed and she was found face down in underwear and a little merino. Which me know say she always have on tights. If she a go a church her slip longer than her dress,” she said, adding that her aunt would never go to bed without her head wrapped and being properly clothed because the “angels would visit”.
As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding Miss Babs’ death, members of the community expressed sadness at her death and anger at the way it happened. Wedderburn made a touching plea as she is in the midst of her grief.
“I wish when the hurricane come it would just lift up the house. I don’t even want to clean it for anyone to stay there. Mi nuh want that remembrance.”