Post Mortem Certifies Death by Murder, Not Fire

William Watson

When the fire was reported early last Tuesday morning and the body of eighty-two-year-old William Watson was discovered inside, it was a tragedy for the family. But that tragedy has now turned to rage when the post mortem report revealed that Watson did not die in the fire, nor did he die a natural death. In fact, he was murdered, with several stab wounds to the neck. The family is too distraught to talk to the media, but News Five’s Marion Ali turned to his church.

Marion Ali, Reporting

It was one week ago that eight-two-year-old William Watson was discovered dead inside his house, after fire personnel put out a blaze that partially destroyed his house at corner Zericote and Banak Streets. Fire officials said the blaze started from an old television set and that Watson was found lying on his back a few feet away. A post mortem examination, which was conducted on Monday, determined that the elderly man was murdered. The family was too distraught to comment on the callous attack, but News Five turned to Watson’s Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church, and Pastor Leslie Gillett.

Leslie Gillett

Leslie Gillett, Interim Pastor, Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church

“It’s a shock, a complete shock. I knew he had died, but my hope was that it was simply that he had died in a fire – was a natural death, but to die as a result of a criminal act, it’s unfathomable.”

Gillett said that when Watson fell ill two weeks before his death and had to be hospitalized, it took a toll on his health. He relived the last time he saw Watson in the congregation.

Leslie Gillett

“He came very close like a week before, yeah. I don’t know. I understand he ate something and he got really sick and he was in the hospital. So we have churches on Saturday, which is a Sabbath. Now that Sabbath, the last time I saw him in church, it crossed my mind, you know, that maybe that was the last time I was going to see him. Yes, he played the tune about the love of God, so that stays with me.”

The pastor wished that people’s heart would change, particularly towards someone who was kind to others, as one of his neighbours told us of Watson last week.

Leslie Gillett

“The reality is that our society today has become very unjust. So it’s very difficult for justice to prevail in a society where we have become so unjust to one another, you know. People – somebody probably saw, but nobody is saying anything.”

Voice of: Neighbour

“Garbage day he would come out, make sure everybody’s garbage is out, you know.”

Marion Ali

“So you missed him this morning for garbage day..”

Voice of: Neighbour

“Well, I started putting out my own garbage but I will definitely miss him because he is constantly there. Every morning the window would be open and you know he’s up. So, that will be definitely missed.”

Marion Ali for News Five.