Ratho Mill man charged with Precious Williams’ murder

A Ratho Mill man has been charged with the murder of a teenager, whose remains were found stuffed in a plastic bag and discarded in bushes near to the Richmond Hill main road.

Rolando Cato, 25, appeared at the Serious Offences Court before Senior Magistrate, Colin John, on December 17, 2024 where he was charged that between May 9 and 12, 2022, at Richmond Hill, with malice aforethought he caused the death of Precious Williams, 17, of Walvaroo by an unlawful act.

Cato was not allowed to plea to the indictable offence so bail was not open to him. The matter is adjourned to January 27, 2025 for status update, and Cato was remanded in custody.

His arrest was announced on December 16, 2024, by Acting Commissioner of Police, Enville Williams during a Police press conference at Police Headquarters, Kingstown.

“…I wish to use the opportunity to express again to Precious’ family specifically, and generally, to all who suffered bereavement at the hand of violence…”, Williams said.

Head of the Criminal Investigations Department(CID), Clauston Francis, said he is more than delighted that the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), had come to a juncture where they have charged someone for the death of Precious.

“I want to make it clear that as the Head of CID, I take seriously any act of violence against women. My advice is to leave our women alone.”

Francis implored the public to allow women to live their lives the way they choose. He said while men may not always support women’s actions and words, all women are independent and should be allowed to live their lives.

“Leave our women alone because once a report is made to us at CID of any acts of violence against women, we take it very seriously.”

Francis said that he treats these reports like the woman is his mother, sister, or daughter. He acknowledged that Williams’ case was complex.

“It involved many hours and days of interviews, meetings, case conferences. It was tedious. It is not often you will discover a female body chopped and placed in a bag and thrown in a gutter.”

Francis said that it was difficult to establish a motive and determine who was the perpetrator. He commended the Acting Commissioner and Superintendent of Police ,Dwayne Bailey for supporting the staff of the Major Crimes Unit (MCU), especially Sergeant Quow and his team, “for doing a tremendous job in investigating this case”.

He also commended the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for their advice and consultation in the matter.

Francis said while the investigations were difficult, the evidence is solid and he is hoping to obtain a positive prosecution.

The death of Williams captured national attention after the discovery of her body on May 12, 2022. Her remains were found in a blue plastic bag in the vicinity of Joyette’s Garage, and an autopsy revealed that a cut to the throat contributed to her death. The body also had multiple wounds that reflected injury by a sharp object.

Cato is currently in custody at His Majesty’s Prison in Belle Isle serving an 18-year sentence for robbery.