Ashanti Riley Murder: Autopsy reveals she was stabbed to death

The murder of 18-year-old Ashanti Riley ending week has sparked a nationwide outcry for justice and an end to violence against women in Trinidad and Tobago.

Police have also arrested a 32-year-old man in association with the murder of the teenager Ashanti.

Riley left her Sunshine Avenue, San Juan base last Sunday to visit her grandma but went missing after getting into a PH taxi. She was found deceased in Santa Cruz on Friday.

As per the police, the man who has been arrested is one of thee who are involved in the heinous crime.

However, the accused deny any wrongdoing and pointed fingers at other people. For 2020, the murders of 45 women have been recorded in Trinidad and Tobago.

Police officials stated that the CCTV footage reveals that Riley was picked up in a blue Nissan Almera. Officials revealed after Riley entered the car they moved ahead to pick two other men.

The defence attorney of the driver of blue Nissan Almera stated that he does not want to speak on behalf of his client.

The crime against women continue to increase in Trinidad and Tobago and over 45 women were reported to murdered in 2020.

Among the injuries, the pathologist noted brisk force injuries to the right front of her chest and lowered stomach, and rough force trauma to the left side of the ribs. The autopsy revealed that the teenager had been stabbed and beaten to death.

Riley’s body was discovered in a river off Upper La Canoa Road, Santa Cruz, last Friday. Kin recognised her body from the objects that were spotted next to her body.

Police Commissioner Gary Griffith declared women should be allowed to have pepper spray as a means of defending themselves. He stated he would speak with the Attorney General on the issue.