Two Women Charged After Mummified Body of Elderly Woman Found in Westmoreland

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Two women from Westmoreland have been charged in connection with the shocking discovery of the mummified body of 69-year-old Viola Destin of Good Hope district, Sheffield. Destin’s remains were found in Old Hope district, Little London, on Sunday, July 6.

The accused are 54-year-old Gena Robinson of Old Hope district and 49-year-old Lavern Wedderburn of Rocky Hill in Sheffield.

The two have been charged with:

• Concealment of a Corpse
• Preventing the Lawful Burial of a Corpse
• Perverting the Course of Justice
• Conspiracy to Conceal a Corpse
• Conspiracy to Prevent the Lawful Burial of a Corpse

According to police reports, sometime in 2023, Wedderburn reportedly saw Destin begging in Savanna-La-Mar and informed Robinson of her dire living conditions. The women then sought guidance from a pastor overseas and began caring for Destin at Robinson’s home.

Destin reportedly fell gravely ill and died at Robinson’s residence in Old Hope district on Sunday, December 10, 2023. Instead of reporting her death, the two women allegedly concealed the body inside a room at the house, using chemicals and baking soda to suppress the odor.

The body was discovered by a relative of Robinson on Sunday, July 6, who then alerted the police. Upon arrival, officers found Destin’s mummified remains covered with sheets, plastic, and tarpaulin.

The scene was processed, and the body was removed to the morgue for a post-mortem examination.

Robinson was taken into custody the same day the body was found, while Wedderburn was arrested three days later. Both women were charged on Tuesday, July 15, after reportedly giving caution statements and confessing to their actions during question-and-answer sessions held in the presence of two Justices of the Peace.

A court date is currently being finalised.