Sascha Wilson
The family of 12-year-old Mercedez Layne has praised investigators for what it described as a swift and committed response from the moment she was reported missing, hours after a man was charged with her murder.
In a public statement issued on Wednesday, the family expressed confidence in the judicial system and thanked the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), particularly officers of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, for treating Mercedez’s disappearance with urgency and professionalism from the outset.
Richard Renalis was charged on Wednesday with the murder of the schoolgirl.
“As this matter now moves before the courts, we wish to state that we have confidence in the justice system and in the manner in which this investigation was handled from the very beginning by the Homicide Bureau of Investigations and the other units involved. We now await the judicial process and trust that justice will be served for Mercedez.
“While nothing can ever bring our precious Mercedez back, we remain hopeful that accountability will follow for the innocent life that was taken from us far too soon and in such a violent and heartbreaking manner.”
The family also thanked people in Trinidad and Tobago and abroad for their support throughout the search.
“Nothing can ever bring our Mercedez back. The pain of losing her will stay with us forever. But we take comfort in knowing that so many people cared, so many people searched and so many people fought alongside us to bring her home.
“Mercedez was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure. Her smile, her innocence and her beautiful spirit will remain with us for the rest of our lives.”
The family recalled reporting her disappearance to the Erin Police Station on June 6 before contacting ASP Anil Maraj of the Region Three Homicide Bureau of Investigations.
“What happened next is something we believe the public should know. Within a short space of time, officers from several specialised units, including the Region Three Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Special Investigations Unit, South Western Division, Cyber Crime and Social Media Unit, CCTV Retrieval Unit and others, descended on Erin and surrounding areas and immediately began searching for our daughter.
“From our direct interaction with the police, we can say that this matter was treated seriously from the very beginning. They did not dismiss Mercedez as just another child who had run away from home. They treated her disappearance as urgent and acted accordingly.”
According to the family, officers worked tirelessly, following leads, gathering evidence, reviewing information and pursuing every avenue available while racing against time in the hope of finding her alive.
They also said investigators maintained regular communication throughout the search.
“The Homicide Bureau did not wait for a body to be found before getting involved. They treated this as a serious matter from the outset and worked with urgency from the moment they (ASP Maraj) were contacted.”
Responding to criticism on social media, the family said: “In our view, the response by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in this case represented the very meaning of their motto: ‘To Protect and Serve with Pride’.”
The family also thanked ASP Maraj, the Hunters Search and Rescue Team led by Shamsudeen Ayube and Vallence Rambharat, Councillor Arlene Ramdeo, MP Clyde Elder, Ian Alleyne and Ideal Funeral Home for their assistance, compassion and support.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon.
