2wenteez Media – Real Talk. Real News. Real Jamaica.
🕯️ Introduction: A Mystery Behind Closed Doors
In a quiet corner of Little London, Westmoreland, a grim discovery has stunned a rural Jamaican community. The mummified body of an elderly woman, found in her own home, has sparked outrage, grief, and more questions than answers.
The deceased, Viola Destin, lived in the Old Hope District, cared for—allegedly—by 54-year-old Gena Robinson, her live-in caregiver. But after months of silence, one concerned relative picked up the phone and called the police. What they uncovered was the kind of thing you only expect to see in foreign news reports or crime documentaries.
This is not just a story about death. It’s a story about neglect, silence, community breakdown, and a growing issue facing our elderly in Jamaica.
⚰️ What Really Happened to Miss Viola?
Let’s get the facts straight.
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Viola Destin's remains were found on Sunday, June 30, 2024, inside her home
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Police believe she actually died on December 10, 2023
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Her body was concealed for over six months
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Her caregiver, Gena Robinson, allegedly made no report of her passing
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Instead, she reportedly hid the body in a room, left to decompose
The case is now under the microscope of the Savanna-la-Mar Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB). Charges have already been laid against Robinson, including:
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Failure to report a death
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Preventing lawful burial
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Attempting to pervert the course of justice
🇯🇲 Local Reaction: “Dis Coulda Be Mi Own Granny!”
In Old Hope and surrounding Westmoreland districts, the reaction has been one of disbelief and heartbreak.
“Mi granny live alone in the hills, and when mi hear this mi heart just drop,” said Tashana, a 32-year-old mother in Negril. “Mi can’t even imagine her dead and nobody know fi months.”
Barbershop convos, church prayer lines, and social media circles are buzzing with the same sentiments: How could this happen? Where was the community?
🧓🏽 Cultural Context: Our Elders Deserve Better
Let’s be real. In Jamaican culture, “Granny” is sacred.
Whether it’s cooking Sunday dinner, helping raise the grandkids, or being the quiet strength in a noisy world—our elders are backbones of the family.
But increasingly, many are being left in the care of paid or informal caregivers, especially when family migrate, or simply can't manage due to financial stress.
“We haffi check pon dem. Even if is once a week. Granny shouldn't dead like dog,” said Brother Johnson from a Little London church group.
This tragedy calls out the cracks in elder care, especially in rural Jamaica:
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Lack of oversight
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Few home visits
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No national elder welfare database
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Isolation made worse by technology gaps
⚖️ The Caregiver Dilemma: Trust, Training, and Trouble
It’s easy to point fingers. But this raises deeper questions:
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Who trains caregivers?
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Who checks up on them?
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Are they held accountable beyond the family?
Robinson’s role is now the subject of legal scrutiny—but the wider system needs probing too.
In Jamaica, home caregivers don’t require licenses unless working in a private facility. That means:
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Anyone can call themselves a caregiver
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There’s little to no oversight
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Elderly people become vulnerable to abuse, neglect—or worse
🔎 Legal and Ethical Analysis: What the Law Says
The JCF has confirmed that Gena Robinson is being charged, but what happens next depends on the courts.
“Failure to report a death” in Jamaica can carry serious legal consequences—especially if it's proven that deliberate concealment occurred to avoid investigation or exploit finances.
In some countries, hiding a body would automatically trigger foul play assumptions. Jamaica’s laws are catching up—but slowly.
As of now, the case may hinge on:
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Why Robinson allegedly hid the body
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Whether there were signs of abuse or negligence
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If any benefits were collected in Viola’s name after her death
💔 The Psychological Toll: What Happens When Elders Die Alone?
This isn’t just a headline—it’s a human tragedy.
Health professionals warn that elder isolation leads to mental decline, abuse, and even premature death.
“Every elder in Jamaica should have a wellness check monthly—whether from family, church or health clinic,” said Dr. Alecia Brown, a public health advisor in Montego Bay.
The horror of Miss Viola’s mummified remains being discovered months later isn’t just shocking—it’s a symptom of a society failing its elders.
🧠 What We Can Learn: A Wake-Up Call for Jamaicans
This case forces us to ask some hard but necessary questions:
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Do we know how our elderly relatives are doing—really doing?
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Are we outsourcing care to people we barely vet?
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Does Jamaica need an Elder Protection Hotline or task force?
The truth is, our elderly are repositories of wisdom, history, and heritage. When we lose them like this—we lose more than a life. We lose trust, tradition, and dignity.
📢 Community Voices: The Call for Change
From Westmoreland to Kingston, the cry is rising.
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“Train caregivers and hold them accountable!”
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“Set up a national elderly welfare check-in system!”
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“Every district must have a ‘granny patrol’ of volunteers!”
A few community-led programs exist—like HelpAge Jamaica—but they need support. helpagejamaica.org
It’s time for policymakers, churches, and everyday citizens to rally around our seniors before it’s too late.
📍 Conclusion: Let Miss Viola’s Death Be the Last of Its Kind
Miss Viola Destin deserved better. Every elderly person in Jamaica deserves better.
As the investigation continues, and as legal processes unfold, we as a nation must do some soul-searching.
Don’t wait for tragedy to knock at your door.
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Call yuh granny
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Check on yuh neighbour
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Push for elder care reform
We say “respect yuh elders,” but now it’s time to prove it with action.
💬 Drop a Comment and Share Wid Yuh Family and Friends
Do you have an elderly relative living alone?
Have you ever had concerns about a caregiver?
Tell us what YOU think. Share this article with your family, your church group, and even yuh MP. One convo could save a life.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This article is based on confirmed police reports and community interviews. Some quotes were paraphrased for readability. Always refer to JCF.gov.jm or local law enforcement for the most current legal details.
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