标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a significant development following an 11-day captivity, Monos Island kidnapping victim Derrick Tardieu has been successfully liberated. The businessman and his wife Clarabelle were violently abducted from their residential compound on December 6th, with captors demanding a substantial ransom of US$2.5 million for their safe return.

Legal representative Lesley-Ann Lucky-Samaroo, SC, acting as the family’s spokesperson, issued an official media release on December 17th confirming the breakthrough. The statement formally announced that ‘their loved one Derrick has been released’ and is presently ‘seeking medical attention and care while requiring adequate time to recover from this traumatic experience.’

Notably absent from the communication was any reference to Clarabelle Tardieu’s status, raising questions about whether she remains in captivity or has been separately released. The family expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming public support, kind sentiments, and prayers received throughout this harrowing period.

The Tardieu family has formally requested privacy protections during this delicate recovery phase, urging media outlets and the general public to respect their need for seclusion as they navigate the physical and psychological aftermath of the incident. Local authorities continue their investigation into the abduction case while providing support to the affected family.

In a significant development following an 11-day abduction crisis, Monos Island kidnapping victim Derrick “Stones” Tardieu has been successfully freed from captivity. The businessman and his wife Clarabelle were violently taken from their residential compound on December 6th, with captors subsequently issuing a substantial $2.5 million ransom demand for their safe release.

Legal representative Lesley-Ann Lucky-Samaroo, SC, acting as official family spokesperson, formally confirmed Tardieu’s liberation through a December 17th media communiqué. The carefully worded statement revealed that the freed captive is presently “seeking medical attention and care” while requiring adequate time to physically and psychologically recover from the traumatic experience.

The Tardieu family expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming public support received throughout the harrowing ordeal, specifically acknowledging the compassionate words, steadfast encouragement, and spiritual prayers offered during their time of crisis. Notably absent from the official release was any reference to Clarabelle Tardieu’s current status or whereabouts, raising questions about whether both kidnap victims have been released simultaneously.

Emphasizing the need for privacy during the recovery process, the family has respectfully requested that the public and media outlets honor their need for seclusion as they navigate the complex aftermath of the incident. Law enforcement authorities continue their investigation into the kidnapping case while coordinating with the family regarding ongoing developments.

The grieving family of former D’Abadie/O’Meara MP Lisa Morris-Julian is calling for full public disclosure of the official investigation report into the devastating December 2024 fire that claimed her life along with her two children. This demand emerges just before the first anniversary of the tragedy that shocked the nation.

Despite Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander’s assertion that the report exonerates responding fire officers and rules out foul play, the family confirms they have neither received the document nor been consulted about its findings. A family representative expressed profound frustration, stating, “The entire country needs to know what happened that morning,” while highlighting concerning discrepancies in the official narrative.

The comprehensive report, completed by a special three-member committee on January 10, examined both the circumstances of the blaze and the emergency response effectiveness. The autopsy confirmed Morris-Julian, her 25-year-old daughter Xianne Julian, and six-year-old son Jesiah Julian all succumbed to smoke inhalation at their Farfan Street residence in Arima—notably located within walking distance of the local fire station.

Family members raise serious questions about response times and resource allocation, particularly given reports that neighbors personally alerted the nearby fire station yet witnessed delayed emergency deployment. “I was there from the moment I found out her house was on fire, and there was nobody from the fire station there when I got there,” the relative recounted, challenging the official clearance of fire service procedures.

The family maintains that public transparency would not only provide them with closure but could potentially prevent future tragedies through improved safety protocols. They find the government’s reluctance to release the document perplexing, noting: “If everything is well, then just release it. If you are able to publicly eliminate foul play, why not share what happened publicly? This concerns the public.”

As the family prepares to endure their first Christmas without their loved ones, they remember Lisa as an exceptional mother and public servant, Xianne as a promising young woman with a bright future, and Jesiah as a child who touched everyone he met. Their profound loss is compounded by what they describe as insensitive public commentary and the politicization of their tragedy.

A devastating single-vehicle accident on the Solomon Hochoy Highway has resulted in the death of a 50-year-old man from La Romain. The victim, identified as Dennis Ramesh Nehorah of Hibiscus Drive, lost his life when his car veered off the southbound lane near Gasparillo and subsequently caught fire.

Preliminary reports indicate the incident occurred recently, with emergency services responding to the scene where the vehicle had already become fully engulfed in flames. The exact circumstances leading to the vehicle leaving the roadway remain under investigation by authorities.

The tragic incident has prompted renewed discussions about road safety measures along this major transportation corridor. The Solomon Hochoy Highway serves as a critical artery for transportation in the region, making safety concerns particularly significant for regular commuters and transportation officials alike.

Nehorah’s passing marks another somber addition to Trinidad and Tobago’s road traffic fatality statistics, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced in preventing such tragedies. Community members from La Romain have expressed shock and sadness upon learning of the incident, remembering Nehorah as a longtime resident of their community.

The Sea Lots basketball court transformed into a vibrant hub of celebration on December 14th as the community witnessed an extraordinary youth event that far exceeded expectations. Organized by the Sea Lots Legacy Foundation in collaboration with rising musical artist Yung Bredda and supported by KFC Trinidad, the initiative initially planned for 250 children but ultimately welcomed hundreds more as word spread throughout the neighborhood.

Children’s laughter filled the air as they participated in various activities including face-painting, games, and festive treats. The event marked a significant partnership between corporate resources and local leadership, with KFC additionally funding court improvements including fresh paint and new basketball equipment.

At the heart of the celebration stood Akhenaton Lewis, professionally known as Yung Bredda, a 26-year-old soca artist who grew up and still resides in Sea Lots. Lewis performed his popular tracks including ‘The Greatest Bend Over,’ ‘Tap Out,’ ‘Rags,’ and ‘Blaze’ for his hometown community. Reflecting on his childhood experiences, Lewis shared: ‘Growing up, I anxiously awaited Christmas parties from outside organizations because my mother couldn’t always afford toys. Now I’m blessed to help create those moments for today’s children.’

The Sea Lots Legacy Foundation, established in 2023 by brothers Nigel and Andy Charles alongside Lewis, has consistently worked to provide structure and opportunities for local youth through food drives, seasonal events, and educational initiatives. Nigel Charles emphasized their mission: ‘We’re building youth mindsets through community events that offer exposure to different lifestyles.’

KFC’s involvement represents more than corporate social responsibility—it signals a strategic shift in cultural partnerships. Stacey Ryan, Marketing Head for KFC and Pizza Hut at Prestige Holdings, explained: ‘Our collaboration with Yung Bredda extends beyond using his music for brand elevation. We’re genuinely investing in his journey and the community that shaped him.’

The company announced plans to launch a music-focused program in 2026 targeting at-risk communities, beginning with Sea Lots but eventually expanding to other underserved areas. This initiative reflects KFC’s evolving approach to cultural partnerships that prioritize genuine community engagement over traditional marketing.

Both organizers and sponsors highlighted the event as a powerful demonstration of what becomes possible when corporate resources align with authentic community leadership and homegrown talent.