Man charged in Barbados in connection with death  of Vincentian woman
From the Courts
August 10, 2012
Man charged in Barbados in connection with death of Vincentian woman

Anthony Frederick Francis appeared in the District “C” Magistrate’s Court in Barbados on Wednesday, charged in connection with the killing of his 54-year-old Vincentian neighbour Laurette Diana Skeete,{{more}} who was found dead in her Marchfield Close, St Philip, Barbados home over the weekend.

Francis, 47, a carpenter, has been charged with serious bodily harm, but that is expected to be upgraded following a post mortem on the body.

Skeete, also known as “Junie”, was discovered lying on the floor of her home, with a wire around her neck, around 8:20 a.m. last Saturday morning.

The gruesome discovery was made by her 25-year-old daughter Sherris Lewis.

Laurette, originally from New Prospect, migrated to Barbados about 20 years ago. Her mother, Ina Lewis, told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday that although she had limited communication with her daughter, she was saddened by the news of Laurette’s death.

“Me and she hardly use to talk. I can’t tell when last I hear from she, but is me daughter and I feel sad,” Lewis said.

Skeete, commonly known as Joanie or Kiddy, is the fourth of twelve children for Ina. She grew up in the village of Simon, New Prospect, before migrating to Barbados as an adult.

Apart from her daughter Sherris who lives in Barbados, Laurette also has another daughter, a son and two grandsons who reside in St Vincent.