Murder of Claire Broadbridge

Murder of Claire Broadbridge
LocationSt. Ann's
Date2 September 2017 (2017-09-02)
TargetClaire Broadbridge
Attack type
Stabbing
Deaths1

Claire Broadbridge (August 1937 – 2 September 2017) was a Trinidadian conservationist and museum curator who was murdered in 2017. The brutality of the crime brought attention towards violence against women and is one of the most high-profile crimes in the history of Trinidad and Tobago.[1][2]

Background

Doctor Claire Broadbridge was a former curator of the National Museum and Art Gallery.[3] She served as Director of the National Museum from 1983 to 1997.[4] In this role she had such responsibilities as art conservation of artefacts such as paintings of Michel-Jean Cazabon.[5] Among her accomplishments include the conservation of the Holy Name Convent Chapel, Fort San Andres and the marine archaeological exploration of Scarborough Harbour in Tobago.[6] She was a member of the Hayes Court Restoration Committee.[7] She was director at Heritage Development Consultants.[8] She had an interest in conserving the heritage of Trinidad and Tobago.[9] After retiring Claire Broadbridge worked with the Smithsonian Institution.[10] Her son Stephen Broadbridge is an environmentalist and photographer.[11] Her niece Daniela Fifi is also a curator who directed the museum and has been honoured by the British Arts Council for her work.[12]

Murder

On 2 September 2017, Dr Broadbridge was found dead at her home at Fondes Amandes Road in the St Ann's area of Port of Spain.[13] Authorities were alerted by reports of smoke.[14] Her body was discovered in a bedroom, after responding firefighters extinguished the fire which partially destroyed the living room.[15] She had been stabbed twice and had her throat slit.[4] Investigators suspected a home invasion gone wrong.[16] Pieces of furniture had been set on fire in an apparent attempt to destroy any evidence.[17] The forensic pathologist believed that the murder weapon was a kitchen knife.[18] Stephen Broadbridge criticised the Forensic Sciences Centre calling it a "national disgrace" regarding the long wait for the autopsy process.[19] The case brought attention to crime in the country.[20][21] The murder of Claire Broadbridge was the country's 321st such crime of 2017.[22] In the same week, the murder of Ramdevi Singh, another elderly woman who was killed in nearby Chaguanas also received media attention.[23][24]

On 6 September, her funeral was held at the Church of the Assumption in Maraval.[25] The Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi was in attendance.[26] Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Nyan Gadsby-Dolly expressed her condolences.[27] She said Dr Broadbridge would be "remembered for her invaluable contribution to the national museum and art gallery and praised her for her years of selfless service".[3] The founder of women's rights group Womantra, Stephanie Leitch, said she was “rattled” by the murder of Dr Broadbridge who was a relative of hers.[28] Stephen Broadbridge was critical of politicians and the police following the murder.[29]

Trial

A married couple from Morvant were arrested on suspicion of murder.[30] They appeared at the Magistrates' Court in Port of Spain.[31] They were awaiting trial by December 2018.[32] Stephen Broadbridge addressed the long time in the justice system.[33]

References

  1. ^ "Women as murder victims". Trinidad Express Newspapers. 3 September 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  2. ^ Pires, B. C. (12 February 2021). "Songs in the key of death". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b Superville, Shane (5 September 2017). "Outpouring of Condolences for Slain Former Curator". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  4. ^ a b Loutoo, Jada (15 September 2017). "Couple in court for Broadbridge murder". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  5. ^ "Questions over Cazabons". Trinidad Express Newspapers. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  6. ^ Newsday (6 September 2017). "Criminals won't stop women". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday Archives. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  7. ^ estuaryPR (28 January 2014). "Trinidad and Tobago's Anglican Church Preserves The Legacy Of Hayes Court". artIS3LIVE. Archived from the original on 30 January 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  8. ^ estuaryPR (28 January 2014). "Rt. Reverend Claude Berkley Archives". artIS3LIVE. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  9. ^ Surtees, Joshua (10 September 2017). "Love and hate in TT". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday Archives. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  10. ^ "In T&T: Ex-museum boss murdered in her home". Stabroek News. 3 September 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  11. ^ Loubon, Michelle (4 September 2017). "Police alone can't solve the problem*". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  12. ^ King, Nelson A. (8 November 2017). "Daniela Fifi – Caribbean Life". www.caribbeanlife.com. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  13. ^ Ramdass, Rickie (13 September 2017). "Couple charged with killing Broadbridge *". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  14. ^ Superville, Shane (4 September 2017). "Broadbridge's son: society lacking empathy". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  15. ^ Loutoo, Jada (20 February 2019). "Couple to stand trial for museum director's murder". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Claire Broadbridge ex-National Museum director found dead". Trinidad Express Newspapers. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  17. ^ INEWS (4 September 2017). "Take back T&T from criminals, son of murdered curator urges". INews Guyana. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  18. ^ Bruzual, Alexander (3 September 2017). "Broadbridge's throat slit ear to ear". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  19. ^ Hamilton-Davis, Ryan (5 September 2017). "Families call Forensic Sciences Centre a 'national disgrace'". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  20. ^ Bruzual, Alexander (2 September 2017). "TAKE BACK T&T*". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  21. ^ Kalloo, Sherene (2 September 2017). "What is there to celebrate*". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  22. ^ Newsday (5 September 2017). "Murder. Rob. Repeat". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  23. ^ Newsday (8 September 2017). "Callous, clueless crime fight". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  24. ^ Mohammed, Susan (13 September 2017). "Ten day wonder: Is Ramdevi's murder already a cold case". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  25. ^ Boodram, Kim (7 September 2017). "'Senseless murder of a true patriot'*". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  26. ^ Superville, Shane (9 September 2017). "AG at Broadbridge funeral: No one immune to crime". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  27. ^ "Minister: Loss of a true patriot *". Trinidad Express Newspapers. 3 September 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  28. ^ Hunte, Camille (3 September 2017). "WOMEN NOT SAFE *". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  29. ^ "Take back T&T from criminals, son of murdered curator urges". Stabroek News. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  30. ^ "Morvant couple to face murder charges*". Trinidad Express Newspapers. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  31. ^ "Couple to appear in court for Broadbridge killing". Trinidad Express Newspapers. 13 September 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  32. ^ Surtees, Joshua (30 December 2018). "Five years, five murders". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Archived from the original on 1 January 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  33. ^ "Justice too slow in T&T, cases taking 10-15 years - CNC3". 8 February 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
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