The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine exactly what caused the death of 73-year-old Maud McCartney, Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson said yesterday.

Mr Ferguson said at this time, police have no suspects in custody, no motive and no cause of death in relation to the homicide of the former Ministry of Tourism ambassador.

Police discovered Ms McCartney’s charred remains in the living room of her home last Thursday after the flames that engulfed the structure were extinguished.

Ms McCartney had lived in her home since 1965. Her death shocked many relatives who were overcome with grief as police processed the scene last week.

Originally police assumed the fire was an accident, but earlier this week they said they believed Ms McCartney’s Collins Avenue home was set on fire. Her death was classified as a homicide.

She was described by her brother, Charles, as a devout Christian and member of the East Street Gospel Chapel, healthy and fiercely independent. Mr McCartney, 76, said his sister’s death was painful given his family’s efforts to convince her to move from the home.

Mr McCartney said he and his brother, George, made several attempts to convince their sister to sell the home, which had been highly sought after by doctors because of its location in the medical district.

Ms McCartney’s grandniece, a medical student on summer break, was living at the house at the time of her death, he said.

Anyone with information that might assist police are asked to contact 919 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477) or 1-242-300-8476 in the Family Islands.