As government's official photographer, Norman Belisle was always at the side of the Prime Minister, and often at the frontline of the news but, tonight, sadly, he is in the headlines: as the 39 year old father of five was killed last night at his home in Camalote Village. Yesterday Belisle and his wife went to Melchor to purchase school uniforms but when they came back, alcohol and ill-temperedness made for a volatile and ultimately deadly mix. 7NEWS went to Camalote to get the story.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
39-year-old Norman Belisle came back home at around 10 last night. He attempted to drive the vehicle he was in, through this very spot but he was unable to make it into his yard because it bogged in the mud. This is what his wife Patricia says started a domestic dispute in which Belisle began to beat on his 15-year-old daughter. The police were called in and investigating officer Sgt. Sinquest Martinez says they thought the matter had been resolved.
Sgt. Sinquest Martinez, Investigating Officer
"At that time the police did what it could have done. The police did what the wife requested."
Alfonso Noble,
Which was?
Sgt. Sinquest Martinez,
"Talk to the husband and the police took him along and when the police took him along, he went back home to his house."
And as he did he continued the dispute with his family. That's when his wife tried to prevent him from entering the house and he continued beating on his daughter, with his wife holding unto him all the while trying to restrain him. During all this ruckus, Belisle wife's nephew ran up the step and armed with a knife, he allegedly stabbed Norman twice, once to the neck and once to the back.
Sgt. Sinquest Martinez,
"He was stabbed twice. We have detained the accused and we are investigating the matter. It is pertaining a husband and it is pertaining a nephew so it is quite sensitive at this moment and whatever evidence comes out of this investigation, then we will deal with it that way."
But no matter how it is dealt with, it will not change the fact that last night Norman Belisle lost his life to the hands of his wife's nephew who is now detained pending charges of murder.
Police have detained 22-year-old Alex Matute pending charges. And though his passing is clouded by calamitous circumstance; we extend out sympathies to his family. In nine years at the Government Press Office he was an always welcome and upbeat presence at media assignments where he will be missed as one of the truly "good guys." His funeral is tentatively set for Sunday.
