Man on chopping spree kills wife and commits suicide

Trinidadian runs amok, killing his estranged wife and hacking son and pregnant woman before hanging himself in a tree.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Friday August 17, 2012 – A domestic violence protection order, obtained six months ago by battered wife Julie Parris, proved to be useless when her estranged husband Patrick Parris arrived at her house with murder on his mind.

On Monday, Parris, 49, stabbed and chopped his 43-year-old wife to death, going on to hack his son Brian who tried to defend his mother. Parris then turned his deadly attention to Brian Parris' pregnant girlfriend Lucy Faria who was also seriously injured in the carnage.

The bloody rampage took place at Mahabalsingh Trace, Navet Village, Rio Claro, and was apparently triggered when Parris learned of Faria’s pregnancy.

According to the dead woman's niece Jessica Lovelace, Patrick Parris had been an abusive husband who had threatened to kill his wife many times.
 
"Things were good with them until some five years ago,” 19-year-old Lovelace said. But something changed.

"He became very violent. He would beat and curse her. He accused her of being unfaithful. But Julie was not that person. I don't think she had anybody else in her life other than him," she continued.
 
Lovelace said Julie moved to a house at El Guanapo Estate, but Parris followed her.
 
"He broke up the windows in the house. Last Christmas he burned almost all of her belongings, her wedding dress, curtains, furniture and other things. She took out a restraining order against him. But he still terrorised her. He would go at her workplace at KFC, Rio Claro, and embarrass her," she disclosed.
 
When Faria announced that she was pregnant on Sunday, Parris apparently snapped.
 
"On Monday he came to the house and said she (Faria) was a disgrace to the family. And all she (Julie Parris) said was 'I don't know why he does get on like that',” Lovelace said.
 
“He came and said ‘All allyuh dead today’," she added.

Parris, a gardener, used a knife to stab his wife multiple times. When Brian Parris tried to defend his mother with a cutlass, Parris grabbed it and chopped him on the head and shoulder, going on to chop his wife and Faria.
 
Another son, 13-year-old Steve, witnessed the bloodbath and ran to a neighbour's house for help.
 
Julie Parris died in the house and her killer fled into the bushes. He was found dead the following day, hanging by the neck from a tree.
 
Faria lost three fingers on the right hand and was said to be in critical condition at the Sangre Grande Hospital. Concern was also expressed about the health of the unborn child. Brian Parris was also hospitalized. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)