Dutch Quarter:--- The sister of the late Radford Seaford aka "Skinny" said her family and those of her late brother will do everything in their power to make sure they get justice for the untimely death of their brother and father.Kimelia Austin who arrived on the island on Wednesday told SMN News that she is yet to meet law enforcement and the public prosecutor to discuss her brother's murder. Austin said she has faith in the justice system. However, she wants to signal to the police force of Country St. Maarten that this case will not be an "open and shut" case since they are doing all that is in their power to make sure justice is served. Austin said since she arrived on the island several persons who know the killer and her brother came forward with information regarding the relationship her brother had with Sandra Hall.
Austin further claimed that no one in her family knew her brother had a relationship with her brother's murderer. Austin said her brother Radford Seaford was preparing to leave St. Maarten to join his other siblings in the USA and she believed that this has something to do with his slaying. Austin said her brother had lots of jewellery that he received from older relatives and so far none of the jewellery can be found. She said already someone told her that the killer wanted her brother's gold chain, wrist band and his rings to travel to Jamaica with as she too was scheduled to leave the island. Other shocking information that reached the bereaved sibling is that the woman who killed her brother stabbed two men in the past. She said while she does not know this person there are people here who said that Sandra Hall stabbed her children's father while in Jamaica and another man with whom she had a relationship with here on St. Maarten. She said she wants to know if the police have this information because that would show that Sandra Hall has a violent behaviour.
Austin said if she is given the courtesy to meet with law enforcement prior to leaving with her brother's body she would request that her brother's killer be charged with premeditated murder and not manslaughter. Austin said she also learnt that her brother received two stab wounds from behind while his killer stabbed him multiple times when he turned around to block the stabs. Furthermore, she said it appeared that her brother was trying to run away from Hall when he noticed that she grabbed a knife but because he was somewhat intoxicated he did not make it to the door.
Neighbours and friends of the now dead man said Hall and Skinny were not in a permanent relationship as they would make up and break up constantly. They said the woman was living in Nazareth Road Dutch Quarter and she only moved in with Skinny after the recent flooding. Another close friend of Skinny said her 21 year old son was with Skinny until after 10pm that fatal night drinking at his apartment. The woman said her son is still in shock because his friend was drinking that night and he was intoxicated and could not have escaped his killer even if he wanted to. The woman said her son told her that while he was at the house Skinny tried to do some weight lifting and the equipment fell because Skinny could not balance the weight due to the alcohol.
Who is "Skinny"?
Kimelia Austin said her brother was very fun loving, jovial and one who would do anything to make other people happy. "My brother is not a violent person and he would run from trouble because has never had problems with the law."
Austin said they came from a family of 10 siblings and their father was a police superintendent prior to him going on pension. Her brother Skinny was also a police officer in his native country Guyana. She said the last place her brother worked as police officer was at the Parliament Building in Guyana prior to him migrating to St. Maarten 20 years ago. Radford "Skinny" Seaford is the father of two children ages 20 and 14. Their aunt said the two children who are studying in Holland will be travelling to Guyana where the burial will take place.
Candlelight Vigil
Scores of friends, co-workers and mere acquaintances who knew Skinny gathered next to his home in Christiansted Drive Dutch Quarter on Saturday night where they held a candlelight vigil in memory of Skinny. Despite scattered showers and high winds the friends and neighbours did what was necessary to light their candles as they payed their respects to a man who they said was a neighbourhood confidant.They described him as being one of the most friendly and helpful persons in the Dutch Quarter community. Friends said Skinny was always at their homes when he was not working, while he is known to drink, and sometimes loud he was not a troublemaker.
His sister Kimelia thanked those who came out to show their support for their loss, she distributed candles and made sure they were lit saying this is the first sign that justice will be served. Kimelia said that the person who snatched her brother's life away is nothing more than a devil and while they gathered there to mourn his loss, they must be assured that his family will ensure justice is served and that no other man meets the same fate.The memorial service for Radford Seaford better known as Skinny will be held at Royal Funeral Home on Sucker Garden Road on Monday from 3 to 5pm.