Employee held in connection with double murder

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

A man believed to have been employed to the family has been held in connection with the double murder of a lecturer and her husband in Discovery Bay, St Ann, on Wednesday.

The bodies of senior lecturer Norma-Lyn Hall of Brown's Town Community College and her husband, Stephen, were discovered in Lakeside, Discovery Bay, several miles from their Queen's Crescent home.

The police later held two men for questioning in connection with the murders. The employee was reportedly one of the two.

Investigating officer at the St Ann police headquarters, Deputy Superintendent of Police Jervis Moore, told The Gleaner yesterday that the men have not been charged and the police were pursuing new leads.

"No charges have been laid as yet but, based on interviews, we are pursuing other things," Moore said. He declined to elaborate, citing the sensitive nature of the investigations.

However, persons close to the deceased told The Gleaner that the employee to the family was one of the two persons detained.

"He wanted the vehicle," the source alleged.

The white Suzuki Grand Vitara owned by the lecturer went missing from the premises but was later recovered by the police.

Reports are that the husband's throat was slashed, while Mrs Hall was strangled. Sources told The Gleaner that Mrs Hall managed to stab one of her attackers in her struggle and it was when the injured man turned up at hospital he was subsequently held.

Reactions to murder

Meanwhile, reactions to the death of the two have been reaching The Gleaner.

"The mood is very, very sad. A lot of persons are grieving, even those who didn't know her (Mrs Hall) personally. They really feel it, especially based on her status. She was well respected at her workplace, in her community and in her church," said one neighbour.

The Gleaner also spoke to staff at Brown's Town Community College.

"It's hard to accept," said Winsome Frazer, administrative staff member. "When I heard at first, I said, 'No! No! No!' I just couldn't believe it. Then when it was confirmed, I started crying. I could hardly work yesterday. I had to really force myself, then when I went home, I just couldn't sleep."

Frazer described Mrs Hall in glowing terms. "She was such a good-hearted person, so helpful. The last time I saw her, she was actually helping someone, encouraging them along."

Said another administrative staff member: "I just don't know what to say. I was in total disbelief when I heard the news yesterday. But it still hasn't sunk in yet."

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