Biabou woman set on fire dies at MCMH

Monique Clarke, the Biabou woman who was doused with gasoline and set on fire, has died.

Clarke, a mother of two, died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) on Tuesday, August 22. She was burnt at around 4 a.m. on Sunday, August 13.

The death of the woman who sustained second and third degree burns over what doctors say was approximately 85 per cent of her body, came as relatives and friends were raising money to send her overseas for medical attention.

Clarke, a 45-year-old domestic of Biabou, was involved in a dispute with a male, at which time a liquid, said to be gasoline, was thrown on her, after which she was set afire. Clarke’s 13-year-old son put out the flames by throwing water on his mother. She was then rushed to the MCMH.

Following the incident, police charged Pedro Ashton, Clarke’s long-time boyfriend that, “with intent to commit murder, he did an act which is merely preparatory to the commission of the offence.”

“Yo go hear e truth and nothing but the truth. I done mek up my mind,” Clarke commented, as he left the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court last week Tuesday, August 15.

But now that Clarke has died, Ashton, 33, is expected to be charged with murder. The labourer of Biabou is currently on remand. Clarke is the 22nd second person murdered here this year.(LC)