The mummified body of 69-year-old Viola Distin was found at the house she had been staying in Old Hope, Little London, Westmoreland.
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Lorraine Walker reports
Several charges have been laid against another woman following the discovery of the mummified body of 69-year-old Viola Distin in Old Hope, Little London, Westmoreland on July 6.
Lavern Wedderburn, 49, of Rocky Hill in Sheffield, Westmoreland is the second person to be charged in the matter, joining 54-year-old Gena Robinson of Old Hope.
They have been charged with concealment of a corpse, preventing the lawful burial of a corpse, perverting the course of justice, conspiracy to concealment of a corpse, and conspiracy to prevent the lawful burial of a corpse.
Both women are accused of hiding Ms. Distin's body under a makeshift grave for two years without alerting the authorities.
The Savanna-la-Mar Police say Ms. Wedderburn saw Ms. Distin begging in Savanna-la-Mar sometime in 2023 and told Ms. Robinson about her situation.
Robinson and Wedderburn then sought advice from a pastor overseas and following his instructions, they started to care for Ms. Distin.
Shortly after Ms. Distin became gravely ill and was moved to Ms. Robinson's house in Old Hope district, where she died on December 10, 2023.
The police allege that following her death, the caregivers opted to conceal the body inside a room at the house and sprinkled it with chemicals and baking soda to keep the stench down.
One of Ms. Robinson's relatives reportedly stumbled upon the makeshift grave at the house on July 6 and summoned the police.
On their arrival, the mummified corpse of the elderly woman was found covered beneath sheets, plastic and tarpaulin.
Ms. Robinson was taken into custody the same day the body was found and Ms. Wedderburn arrested three days later.
They were charged on Tuesday after they gave caution statements.
The police say they also confessed to the roles they played while being questioned in the presence of two justices of the peace.
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