Breaking… Elder brother, other resident back in custody for Rose Hall double murder  

By Michael Jordan

In an unexpected turn of events, detectives from the Major Crimes Unit have re-arrested the 33-year-old brother of Melissa Arokium, as well as another resident in connection with the hacking death of the 31-year old Rose Hall, Berbice mother and her seven year old son.

Big Smith News Watch understands that Ms. Arokium’s brother, Cerrano Arokium, who is a cane harvester, was detained on Monday, September 4. He was reportedly taken to Georgetown for further questioning. Another individual, who is reportedly a neighbor of the Arokiums, was reportedly also re-arrested.

The arrested brother lives in an adjoining apartment in Ms. Arokium’s residence.

Relatives said the 33-year-old cane harvester had left for work at around 04.00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23, and returned at around 11.00 a.m.

Relatives said he ‘soaked down’ his dirty clothes when he returned home.

They said he went out, and eventually learned that his sister and nephew had been murdered, after a younger brother who found the bodies contacted him. 

Investigators had previously detained Cerrano Aroukium, the slain woman’s boyfriend, and the Arokium’s neighbor, 38-year-old Deo Narris. Deo Narris was reportedly released late Friday, September 1, but was reportedly taken back into questioning on Monday, September 4.

Police have stated that they believe that mother and son were murdered between 06.30 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23.

Relatives said Melissa Arokium had a habit of opening her doors early in the morning while doing her household chores.

The three-bedroom house has three doors, and a side door was reportedly found unlocked.

All clues seem to suggest that the killer lives in close proximity to the victims’ Lot 189 Mangrove Street property.

It is suspected that he entered via an unlocked door and attacked Ms. Arokium in her hallway.

The intruder then hacked Anthony to death as he lay sleeping under a mosquito net.

There are at least two empty lots and an abandoned house near to the Arokium home, and the area is overgrown with bushes.

The suspicion is that the killer managed to slip away and conceal the murder weapon, his bloody footwear and garments because he lives close to the victims.

Investigators would have attempted to locate the murder weapon— suspected to be sharp and not very long—as well as other forensic evidence.

Relatives have confirmed that gold jewellery that Ms. Arokium always wore was missing, but the brutality of the attack has led to the conclusion that retaliation over some perceived grievance was the killer’s primary motive.

Melissa Arokium was chopped on her left arm and left side. She was also almost beheaded from chop wounds behind her neck.

Seven year old Anthony sustained four deep incised wounds to the forehead, face, mouth and neck.

Some have mentioned an individual who was allegedly seen in close proximity to Arokium residence prior to the discovery of the bodies. But other relatives said Melissa was a friendly individual who seemed to have no enemies.

Mellissa Arokium and Anthony Arokium were laid to rest on Saturday, September 2, in the St. Xavier Roman Catholic Church cemetery at Port Mourant, following a service at the same church.