Right on the heels of a monstrous murder that took the lives of a woman and her two children comes a brutal attack on another mother and another teenage girl. 35 year old Delecia Flowers and her 14 year old daughter were sleeping inside their home on Complex Street in the Martin's area of Belize City when they were viciously targeted early this morning. The attack left Flowers dead and the minor recovering in the hospital.
It's the fifth femicide this month and while it does not have the signs of domestic violence, it does appear to be gender based violence and it may have stemmed from an altercation that occurred hours before.
Courtney Menzies visited the home today to find out more:
35 year old Delecia Flowers and her 14 year old daughter went to sleep last night as they usually do. However, by 3:00 this morning, their lives would have been changed forever.
A man broke into their home on Complex Street and attacked both of them with a weapon, hitting them in their heads, leaving bloodstains on the couch. Later, Flowers' relative found this - a crowbar in the back of the yard that they believe was left behind by the perpetrator.
Sister of Deceased
"The way I feel this morning to walk in there and see my sister house, This person chop my sister up like a goat, a sheep - then when he finished chopping my sister, he came out and went after her daughter."
"The system is corrupted and I think the government, the police - these men could gp to jail and sit down when my sister is getting buried. I think you all need to do something with those men who are killing these women like they are cat and dog. You all need to do something with them."
After the attack, both were rushed to the hospital, but only one of them survived.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"Upon police's arrival, the encountered two occupants who both exhibited injuries to their bodies. They were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment however the 35 year old female occupant who has since been identified as Delecia Flowers succumbed to the injuries that she sustained whilst undergoing treatment. The other female occupant of that residence is listed in a stable condition."
Reports are that Flowers son had been involved in an argument with a group of boys and his sister came outside to defend him. The boys reportedly left but not before hurling threats.
But ASP Smith would not confirm that today.
Courtney Menzies:
"Do police have a suspect?"
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"Police have been speaking to persons in the area in the interest of identifying the person who is said to have committed this very heinous offense and the department certainly expresses its condolences to the family and we have dispatched an investigative team into this matter and we are ensuring that the necessary psychosocial help and all of the different social interventions resources are made available to this family."
Reporter:
"Have you been able to possible identify a motive thus far, it's been said that there would have been an argument or a fight that preceded this incident by several hours involving her son?"
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"There are several leads that the police are following up on in this investigation."
Reporter:
"But you would be able to rule out gender based violence and gang related activity?"
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"It is an ongoing investigation, Miss Amaya."
And while police continue to investigate yet another heinous act of femicide, Flowers' teenage daughter must now bear the grief of losing her mother while recovering from her own injuries.
Her school, Wesley College showed support for her today with a prayer posted on Facebook.
