Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the brutal murders of three members of the LaCruz family, an incident that has sent shockwaves across the nation and reignited urgent conversations about domestic violence and gun control.
The tragedy unfolded on Wednesday evening at the LaCruz family home in Waiakabra, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. According to police and eyewitness reports, Parmanand Ramdehol, the estranged husband of Maline LaCruz, entered the residence and opened fire on his former wife, her mother Waveney LaCruz, and her younger sister SueAnn LaCruz, killing all three. Maline’s brother, Seon LaCruz, was also shot and remains hospitalized in critical condition. Ramdehol, who had a history of domestic abuse and was recently granted bail for previous assaults on Maline, died by suicide at the scene.
At a press conference, Vice President Jagdeo expressed the government’s expectation for a full and proper investigation, emphasizing the need to determine how Ramdehol obtained the firearm used in the killings. “We have to find out…whether this is an illegal firearm or a legal firearm. Because if he had a legal firearm, after the assault, you’re supposed to have lodged the firearm, he should not have been in possession of the firearm,” Jagdeo stated.
The Vice President’s remarks highlight growing concerns about systemic failures in addressing domestic violence and enforcing firearm regulations. Ramdehol’s history of abuse was well-documented, with Maline having previously shared evidence of her ordeal on social media and reported the violence to authorities. Despite being charged and remanded for wounding and threatening Maline earlier this year, Ramdehol was released on bail and appeared in court on the very day of the murders.
The police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murders, including the source of the firearm and any lapses in the judicial process that may have contributed to the tragedy. The bodies of the victims are currently at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home awaiting post-mortem examinations.
The LaCruz family murders have sparked widespread grief and outrage, with calls for urgent reforms to protect victims of domestic violence and ensure that those charged with violent offenses do not have access to deadly weapons. As the investigation continues, the nation looks to its leaders and law enforcement for answers—and for meaningful change to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
