Co-workers Say No Warning Signs in Murder-Suicide

The families of Jason Emmanuel and Hermelinda Pinks continue to reel in the aftermath of the murder suicide of the pair on Saturday.  Pinks was found dead on her bed with a gunshot to the left side of her temple while Emmanuel was found with a gunshot wound to the right side of his temple inside the bathroom. The licensed firearm of the tax collector was found near him.  It is believed he killed his wife, a coastguard supervisor, and twelve hours later took his own life inside their house on Rose Street in the City. Police are still baffled at what transpired. In a Facebook post, Pinks family describes her as strong and loving person who had endured infidelity. Today, Emmanuel’s colleagues at the Tax Department shared what they knew of him. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The heartrending departure of a husband and wife couple on Saturday in Belize City continues to ripple across society.  Family and friends of Jason Emmanuel and Hermelinda Pinks are struggling to come to terms with their untimely demise.

Evan Brown

Evan Brown, Assistant Commissioner, GST Department

“For me it was a total shock.  I’m still at this point grappling with what actually occurred.  For the staff themselves, [they’re] at a loss for words at this time.  [They] cannot believe that what occurred on Saturday could not be identified with who Jason was and we are hoping that with investigation it will lead to where a full story we’ll be able to understand what transpired.”

Linda, his wife of almost eight years, was shot dead while fast asleep in her bed.  Jason then turned the murder weapon on himself before firing a single shot.  His colleagues at the Department of General Sales Tax never saw it coming.  For those who were closest to him at work, there were no signs to indicate that trouble lied ahead, albeit only knowing him in a professional capacity as a tax collector.

Shirlene Coot

Shirlene Coot, Taxpayer Service Supervisor

“From a woman’s perspective I would say it’s a situation that no female, whether it be a woman, a young lady, should go through.  So it doesn’t matter if it’s from someone you know or from someone you don’t know, it doesn’t matter where the source is, it is not right.”

At the heart of an ongoing public discussion is a debate on whether the unfortunate incident is indeed the result of domestic abuse.  Despite the enactment of stringent laws against such mistreatment, the issue is seldom addressed in the open.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Attorney-at-law

“I don’t know if we could have prevented the tragic loss of Ms. Linda, and it has happened so very, very many times before, but, perhaps had there been a wakeup call somewhere by a family member to have said to her, “Hermelinda, you need to go to the family court to make it clear that you will not tolerate any form of abuse.”

Hermelinda Pinks & Jason Emmanuel

While siblings of the slain coastguard supervisor maintain that Linda was the victim of cruelty in her marriage with Jason, the police department has no record of any complaints filed against him.  What is more is that the subject remains a delicate and sensitive matter.  His coworkers describe Emmanuel as a fun-loving and productive member of staff, quick to lend a helping and always concerned about their wellbeing.  His in-laws saw in him something totally different, a kind of Jekyll and Hyde juxtaposition.

Voice of: Patrick Meighan, Brother of Deceased

“At first he presents himself like he’s someone, you know, but it comes down to the point where you use the term, “there’s a wolf in sheep clothing.”  That’s the way how I see it.”

At his workstation, a shrine has been erected in his memory.  Despite having committed the unthinkable, Jason is still remembered for the consummate professional he was at the GST Department.

Dorla Sutherland

Dorla Sutherland, Administrative Officer

“Emmanuel is the type of person who at the workplace is a loving person, very kind.  While I listen and I hear him being vilified out there, what we can speak to is what we see in the office and what we see in the office is this person who is jovial, who is happy, who is always there for you.  He’s a kindhearted person.”

Patrick Meighan, who chose not to appear on camera, debunks any idle talk about his sister, as hearsay continues to spread across social media.

Voice of: Patrick Meighan

“What I know about her, she’s a loving person.  She’s caring, she’s giving, if she can help, if she can give assistance she will do it to her best.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.