CRIMINAL proceedings against a Cumuto man and his daughter who were accused of the murder of Esther Williams—found dead at her home 11 years ago—have been formally discontinued by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The notices of discontinuance were filed last Wednesday, bringing an end to the case that saw the police Cold Case Unit reopen an investigation into what was initially believed to be a suicide.
DPP Roger Gaspard filed notices of discontinuance in favour of Sewak Jagroo, 58, and his daughter Shastri Jagroo, 25.
The decision means Shastri Jagroo, who was a university student when charged, will be released from custody upon the official filing and service of the notice on prison authorities.
Sewak Jagroo passed away in prison on January 1, 2025, while awaiting trial. The case revolved around the death of 54-year-old Williams, who was found dead at her Cumuto home on April 18, 2014.
At the time, both Sewak, who was Williams’ common-law partner, and his daughter had reportedly told police they had discovered Williams’ body hanging, suggesting she had taken her own life.
However, a subsequent post-mortem examination painted a different picture, revealing that Williams’s death was caused by ligature strangulation and that she had sustained blunt traumatic injuries inconsistent with suicide.
The discrepancy meant the case remained unsolved for several years, becoming a “cold case” until it was reopened by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s Cold Case Unit.
Under the leadership of acting ASP Sean Dhillpaul, and with the investigative assistance of Sgt Sean Williams and Cpl Shawn Gordon, the unit pursued new leads.
This renewed investigation ultimately led to charges being laid against both former accused in August 2023, following legal advice from the DPP’s office.
The father and daughter were arrested on August 29, 2023, in McBean, Couva. During a recent hearing before Master Shabiki Cazabon on Wednesday, attorneys for the DPP’s Office and the accused confirmed the impending discontinuance. Shuzvon Ramdass of the public defender’s department represented Sewak Jagroo during the proceedings. Shastri Jagroo was represented by attorneys Criston J Williams and Aaron Lewis.
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Sources: Rickie Ramdass , Express , Jun 21, 2025. Murder case dropped against daughter, after father dies in prison