Eight months after local business woman Lydia Simmons Dames was believed to be the victim of a hit and run accident, investigations have taken a dramatic turn as police are now classifying the case as a mysterious death.
Speaking with the Freeport News yesterday, Acting Officer in Charge of the Central Detective Unit Inspector Edric Poitier said evidence from the crime scene reconstruction investigations suggests that Dames’ death may not be simply a hit and run.
“After the reconstruction expert reconstructed the scene, the evidence suggested that it may not have been a hit and run but a homicide,” he said.
Noting that there are still some questions to be answered, Inspector Poitier stressed that the circumstances surrounding Ms. Dames’ death do not suggest a hit and run accident.
Hesitant to reveal too much information for fear of hindering the investigation, Inspector Poitier, however, said that the public can rest assured that he and his team of officers are working feverishly to bring closure to this matter.
Inspector Poitier said his department received some information from confidential sources a few days ago that resulted in CDU officers making some inquiries that may have a significant impact on the case.
He also confirmed that since the start of the investigation, two individuals were taken into custody, but subsequently released.
Initial reports released by police stated that sometime around 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2005 officers received information that a female was lying on the grass verge on East Mall Drive, opposite Burger King, and appeared to have been knocked down by a motor vehicle, which didn’t stop.
Reports further stated that the lady, later identified as hat store owner Lydia Dames, appeared to have been forcefully struck by a motor vehicle, as her left thigh region appeared to be broken and swollen.
As police were on the scene collecting evidence, family and friends of the victim stood across the street crying on each other’s shoulders.
They had rushed to the scene moments after receiving calls on their cellular phones, informing them that a woman who was discovered lying lifeless appeared to be Dames.
They watched intently as morticians put a red, thick blanket over the body and placed it in a hearse.
Ms. Dames was described by family and friends as a hard-working, God-fearing woman, whose death left a void in the lives of many people.
Police are continuing investigations into this matter and are asking anyone with any information to please call 350-3106, 352-9774 or 5, 911, or Crime Tipsters 352-1919.
All information will be kept in the strictest of confidence.
By ANGELO ARMBRISTER, Freeport News Reporter
