Major Crimes sleuths take over probe of ‘savage and brutal’ murder of mom and son

A case of revenge?

by Michael Jordan

If investigators from the Major Crimes Unit are to solve the murders of Melissa Arokium and her seven-year-old son, they will most likely sift through her list of close associates, because one of them may be a killer.

Among them, possibly, is an individual who harboured such seething hatred for Ms. Arokium that, after almost hacking off her head, he vented his rage on her sleeping child.

It appears that whoever committed what some sources described as a “savage and brutal” double killing may have had a key to the the Lot 189 Mangrove Street, Port Mourant property.

Police said that the victims were murdered between 06.30 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23.

The intruder, armed with what may have been a very sharp and relatively short weapon, attacked Ms. Arokium in her hallway, chopping her to the back of the neck and almost beheading his victim.

He also chopped her on the left side and left hand.

The killer then went to a bedroom in which seven year old Anthony lay under a mosquito net and butchered the child.

Little Anthony sustained four deep incised wounds to the forehead, face, mouth and neck.

“It was savage and brutal,” a source told me.

“The obvious conclusion seems to be that the act was committed by someone close to the victims, and who harboured a deep grievance.” 

Jealousy and resentment were suggested as possible motives.

Investigators will be trying to find out how the killer managed to slip away unobserved. The ferocity of the attack would have left his body, clothing and footwear bloodstained.

It is possible that he disposed of his garments and showered in close proximity to the murder scene, out of fear of being observed.

The Arokium’s closest neighbours reportedly said they had not seen or heard anything unusual.

Investigators would have searched the homes of suspects, yards and bushy areas for disposed garments and forensic evidence.

Investigators will certainly go over the alibis of individuals who were close to the slain woman.

That would include Ms. Arokium’s boyfriend, neighbors and relatives, as well as an individual who was said to be overseas when the killings occurred.

The slain woman’s phone records and social media account may also yield clues and a motive.

Investigators had detained and released Ms. Arokium’s 33-year-old brother, who lives at the same home and is a cane harvester; her 26 year old brother who found the bodies; the slain woman’s 37-year-old boyfriend, who resides at belvedere, Corentyne, Berbice and a 38-year-old disc jockey who is a neighbor of the victim.

There are reports that her older brother, who lives behind her home, left for work at the sugar estate at around 4:00am on Wednesday, August 23, and returned home around 11:00 am that same day.

The slain woman’s younger brother reportedly found the bodies when he entered the house to use the washroom.

Police found no sign of forced entry and the house was not ransacked. There are reports that Melissa Arokium had a gold bracelet and another piece of jewellery.

However, investigators seem to have ruled out robbery as a motive.

If the woman’s personal jewellery was removed from her body, this may also suggest that the attack was motivated by jealousy or resentment.