Taxi driver charged with murder after Westmoreland woman beaten and burned

Collin James, a taxi driver, has been charged with the murder of Natalie Gooden, the Westmoreland woman who died following an attack at a house in Cornwall Mountain in the parish recently.

Gooden was found locked inside the house, beaten and burned, according to a statement from Grange.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, welcomed the progress in the investigation and commended the police and residents who reported the matter.

“We all hoped that she would’ve pulled through but it’s now very important that the members of the community give information to the police to ensure that there is justice for Miss Gooden,” said Grange.

The minister urged society to remain vigilant and help end acts of violence against women, noting that the Government has mechanisms in place to punish perpetrators and assist women leaving violent situations.

“We now have shelters, we now have hotlines, we now have Domestic Violence Intervention Centres at police stations islandwide,” Minister Grange said. “So I say to any woman suffering, you can leave an abusive relationship and we will help you.”

Minister Grange encouraged those in need of assistance to call the National 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 876-553-0372.

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