The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

VERNENCHA Butler, a 72-year-old woman who was brutally raped in a home invasion over the weekend, died from asphyxia due to strangulation, police have confirmed.

The cause of her death was initially unclear because there were no visible signs of injury.

Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings confirmed that the woman was sexually assaulted and found with “internal injuries” based on the autopsy results.

“Again, we are actively investigating this matter and expect to have the suspect before the courts in the shortest possible time,” she said in a voice note released last night.

Ms Butler’s naked body was discovered on the floor early Saturday morning by her son and grandson, who arrived home hours after she did and reportedly found an unknown naked man sitting inside her bedroom.

Police identified the suspect as a 25-year-old man from Boat Alley, off Market Street, who was released from prison in March after serving time for vagrancy and housebreaking.

Investigators believe he entered the home through a front room window while under the influence of drugs. Surveillance footage reportedly showed the suspect shirtless and barefoot, roaming the area before allegedly entering the home.

Ms Butler’s tragic death, the country’s 111th homicide, came just hours after she attended her elder sister’s 75th birthday dinner, a joyful occasion for the family, who had endured significant losses this year.

Commissioner Clayton Fernander expressed sadness over the incident during a recent press conference, saying: “It really hit home to me because it’s family from San Salvador.”

Ms Butler, a breast cancer survivor, left behind a son and two daughters.