Two Women Lose Their Lives to Domestic Violence within 24 Hours at Year-End

Two women lost their lives to domestic violence within 24 hours as 2022 folded up. Dr. Velma Valmond, 35, was found with a severe laceration across her throat in her bathroom on December 30, 2022; while Avonelle Charles, 47, was found dead in the early hours of December 31, 2022, after a heated argument with her boyfriend.

Valmond was allegedly killed by her boyfriend, Alexan Alexander, 32, who also allegedly attempted to kill Valmond’s 18-year-old daughter and himself following the act. Police arrived to find Valmond dead in her bathroom, and Alexander unresponsive and foaming in his mouth, while Valmond’s daughter was also severely injured.

Both Alexander and his late live-in-lover’s daughter were taken to the DCFH where they are responding to treatment and in stable condition. Valmond was from Sineku and Alexander is from Mahaut, but both lived at No. 4, Jewels Lane in Goodwill, where the incident occurred. Neighbours and family said both have a history of domestic violence.

Charles, a market trader and mother of seven, was set to depart for the market in the morning she was allegedly killed by her lover, Marshall Jean Jacques, 48. The driver who was supposed to take her to the market said her wares were already loaded in the vehicle and he was waiting outside for her when he heard them arguing and the deceased saying “you are hurting me…” and Jacques saying “I will kill you.”

Jacques disappeared after killing Charles and the police mounted a search for him. His lifeless body was ultimately found hanging from a tree close to a road in Morne Prosper on December 31, 2022. Neighbours in the Morne Prosper community said both Jacques and Charles were always fighting and involved in some form of domestic rancour.    

Valmond’s death was the 17th homicide and Charles’ death was the 18th homicide in Dominica in 2022. But the UWP, DLP government, and several authorities within the country have condemned the two women’s death at the hands of their lovers as well as other cases of domestic violence against women and girls on the Island. They also urged victims of domestic abuse to reach out to the police via dedicated lines to report their situations for necessary actions.

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