“After they saw everything on the news and then the newspaper too, he know that his mother died. But I still sit him down and I talked to him and explain things to him. Now I have him with me and I have to be strong for him. I can’t breakdown every time I miss her because he will be affected too,” says Mala Mahabir.
Mala’s 25-year-old stepdaughter, Simone Hackett, was brutally murdered by her reputed husband Clevaughn Hamilton on April 16, 2016 leaving behind their then three-year-old son Clevaughn Jr.
According to information, sometime around 20:30hrs he called Hackett out of her 2968 ‘C’ Field Sophia home to collect a package for their son’s birthday and then he showed up. He told investigators that an argument ensued and while they were at a dark spot, he choked her from behind and began stabbing her. He
then dumped her body in a trench between Third and Fourth streets, Cummings Lodge where Simone’s body was later discovered in a decomposed state.
He then fled to Mahdia where he was apprehended and charged for the crime. The duo were separated for over a year prior to the murder after he would have repeatedly abused her.
Mala told the Sunday Magazine that losing Simone was hard on the family but her son took it the worse. Despite him not fully understanding the circumstances surrounding his mother’s death he does miss her dearly.
Clevaughn Jr. is now in the care of his grandmother and grandfather. Mala says that right now they have to be strong since he is growing up and would usually ask questions they are unable to provide answers to. Since his mother’s death, Clevaughn would have developed some medical complications that are being dealt with.
“So far one time we went home with the papers and we didn’t notice the article in the papers and when he saw the article and pictures he took in and started to panic. He get an asthma attack and since then he travelling with that. We are trying our best to give him the best life he can get. We want him to remember her but not be sad about it. Should be so happy to see how big he grow,” Mala said.
Clevaughn Jr. just finished the Budding Roses Nursery School and is preparing to start Primary in September. His grandmother describes him as a fun and smart child. However, she could not contain her sadness when remembering Simone whom she raised from the age of 10.
“At times your emotion take hold of you but as I said you have to let the emotion go because you cannot keep breaking down in front of him. We was close. I take care of her since she was about 10. She lived with me and I don’t tell people I have step children she is my daughter because she grow with me and she lived with me till prior to her death.”
Mala is leaving no stones unturned to ensure her grandson has the best life and explains that he is attending Private Schools since it was his mother’s desire for him to have the best education. In addition, to help deal with the psychological trauma Clevaughn Jr. is receiving counselling and therapy.
“The hurt never goes away but you got to deal with it one day at a time,” she said. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
