11 Dec 2012

CNMI community in shock over couple's homicide

3:03 pm on 11 December 2012

The community in Saipan in the Northern Marianas is still in shock over the homicide of the parents of a six-year old boy.

An autopsy was performed on the remains of the two victims on Sunday night but police will not release the official cause of death until the next of kin have been notified.

The police were alerted when the victims failed to pick up their son from school last Thursday.

The boys school, Mount Carmel, says it is deeply saddened by the tragedy and is providing grief counselling to students, reinforcing the school's safety procedures and assisting law enforcement with the investigation.

Our correspondent, Mark Rabago, says neighbours have described the parents as private and attentive and diligent in their care for their son.

He says people in Saipan are still coming to terms with the reports of their shocking death.

"The 50 year old man was shot in the head, his wife around 40 was strangled so it's a very horrific crime here and everybody is in shock it has really upset the community here on Saipan because these kinds of crimes, just doesn't happen here."

Mark Rabago