Preliminary examinations of the bodies of Ardia Yearwood-Marchan and her husband, Peter Marchan, have ruled out that the woman was shot before they were burned.
While police believe the burnt remains found in Yearwood-Marchan’s Isuzu D-Max pickup at Petrotrin’s Forest Reserve, Fyzabad, on August 4 are the couple’s, DNA results still have to confirm their identities.
Blood samples of the couple’s siblings are yet to reach the Forensic Science Centre (FSC), St James, and forensic pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov said it would take some time before the results of the DNA tests are returned. For a faster return of results, the families can send the samples to specialised laboratories in Miami, United States, or London, England.
Investigators are hoping that an autopsy will clarify their theory that Yearwood-Marchan was killed before she was put in her pickup before it was set on fire. So far, they believe it was a case of murder/suicide as neighbours reported the couple had an argument at Yearwood-Marchan’s home at Guapo Road, Fyzabad. Blood was also found inside the house.
Alexandrov said the bodies were badly burnt and he was hoping to retrieve DNA samples from the bone marrow.
According to reports, Yearwood-Marchan, 38, a dance teacher at the La Romain High School and Marchan, a civilian mechanic at the Southern Division Fire Headquarters, Mon Repos, San Fernando, were found dead after firefighters extinguished the burning vehicle. Reports stated that an anonymous caller reported a fire off Sudamah Trace and when Fyzabad police responded, they found the burning pickup along the No 42 Road.
A relative of Marchan said the couple, married for 14 years, separated last November and Yearwood-Marchan moved back to her mother’s home. However, he said they were trying to rekindle their marriage and they would both spend time at each other’s home.
On the day of their death, he said they spent the morning together but when they left that afternoon, they sped off in the vehicle and it appeared that they had an argument but no one knew what it was about.