Murder victim hid domestic abuse

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Mother of one Tricia Ramsaran, who was killed during a domestic dispute last week, was searching for true love.

Trying to hold back the tears at Ramsaran’s funeral service yesterday, co-worker and friend Julie Baptiste described her as a humble and forgiving person.

Ramsaran, 37, was allegedly strangled by a man she was in a relationship with at a Sukhan Trace, Barrackpore house on June 9.

With more than 60 relatives and friends in attendance yesterday, the last rites were done at Ramsaran’s parents’ home at Rookmineah Trace, Barrackpore.

While a few mourners wore masks there was no physical distancing as they tried to come to terms with her death.

“I am saddened, grief-stricken, broken-hearted because I have worked with Tricia for 12 years on a day-to-day basis at Modern Caribbean Enterprises Ltd. We were more than friends, we were like sisters, like family,” sobbed Baptiste.

However, she said Ramsaran never confided in her about her domestic problems because she may not have liked her advice.

“I think she did not come to me, she may have gone to other co-workers, because of the advice and the mother that I would mother her sometimes harshly. Because I ask her what was going on, she told me that she and the individual had a falling out, just a small thing.”

Although she never saw any bruises or marks on Ramsaran’s body, Baptiste said she knew something was wrong.

“I know she was going through something because Tricia stayed away for months and when she returned to work Tricia was very sad. Tricia was distraught. Tricia had gotten small but I did not pry much because I tried and she would just be smiling, she covered up a lot,” Baptiste said.

Describing Ramsaran as a humble, wonderful and willing person, Baptiste said her friend may have thought she found true love with the man who eventually ended her life.

“I think she did because I know she was searching for true love.”

However, Baptiste said she learnt two things from her friend’s death—pay more attention if you believe someone is in trouble and try to make the person comfortable enough to confide in you.

She also had a message for people in abusive relationships.

“When you see the signs get out of it, don’t cover it up, talk to persons and being that humble and that willing and that forgiving, that is how Tricia was. Tricia was a willing, forgiving person and see the signs and get out.”

Baptiste’s daughter Kandace, who was also close to Ramsaran, called for an increase in education and awareness campaigns on domestic violence and for access to help and support systems for victims.

Referring to Police Commissioner Gary Griffith’s recent statement that police should not be blamed for domestic violence, she said she still believes such complaints are not taken seriously enough by the police. She said many people are not aware of the existence of the Gender-Based Violence Unit of the T&T Police Service, a unit she welcomed.

“It is a very good initiative the Commissioner started with this separate unit in January. It needs to be more advertised, more awareness of that unit as well. Even if it means a training seminar for officers to be able to deal with this better,” Kandace said.

Suggesting a social media advertising and awareness campaign, she said in that way they will be able to reach a lot of young people. Kandace also advocated for children to be taught about domestic violence in schools and how to deal with those situations.

“Start from early to teach young women don’t stay in a relationship where you are being abused…”

During the service, pundit Dharmendra Maharaj advised mourners to put their love in God.

“Sometimes you place our hearts in people, what they do is that they will mash it up. Place your heart in the Lord and he will keep it and strengthen it,” he said.

The service was followed by the cremation at the Shore of Peace, Mosquito Creek.