A 24-year-old woman was still in police custody last night in connection with the death of her younger sister, 19-year-old Kimberly ‘Kimmy’ Crawford, during a bizarre incident on the weekend, which has left this small farming community in utter shock and grief.

Reports are at that shortly before 9:00 am last Saturday, the siblings were at their home in Stettin, when a dispute developed between them.

It is alleged that the dispute escalated into a fight and a knife and a piece of broken glass were brought into play. The mother of the siblings, who was also at the house, reportedly intervened in the dispute, shortly before the knife was allegedly used to stab the younger sister in the neck.

The mother reportedly collapsed immediately after the stabbing incident and was rushed to hospital.

Crawford reportedly died on the spot, while the elder sister left the scene and reportedly went to the house of pastor Karen Jones of the Jamaica Association of General Baptist Miracle, in Stettin, to report the killing.

When the Jamaica Observer West news team visited the community earlier this week, several residents expressed shock and regret at the incident, many claiming that they “up to now can’t believe what happened” as they grieve especially for the siblings’ mother, who was hospitalised following the incident.

“I am frightened, surprised and shocked, all now mi can’t believe what happened,” Marsha Bailey, the family’s neighbour told the Observer West.

“Mi really sorry for the mother, one of her children is dead, one in lock-up and she [mother] in hospital, mi really, really sorry,” added a distressed Bailey.

Bailey, who claimed she knew the mother very well, shared that shortly before the stabbing death of Crawford, she went to the house with the intention of using the mother’s phone to make a telephone call.

“I went over the house to get a call from her, but no one answered when I was calling, so I went back over to my house. Not long after I got the sad news,” said the teary-eyed neighbour.

Minister Jones told the Observer West that the entire community is shaken.

“The entire community is in shock, we have never had anything like this here before. Everybody is shaken,” said Jones, who has been living in the area for 22 years.

“I personally, am shaken. I have watched one crying, and the body of the other being taken away, someone who I have taught in Sunday School, so it’s not easy for me.

“I grieve for the mother, grieve for the deceased and the one that ended up in jail. I love all of them,” said an emotional Minister Jones.

The pastor then informed that she had known the family for many years and has counselled them on several occasions.

She added that she recently counselled the elder sibling, a former student at the Albert Town High School, and urged her to get more involved in church and to continue her education.

Minister Jones noted that Kimberly was very involved in church activities, particularly with the youth group.

“She was always willing to help, she loved Church,” she underscored.

And during her sermon on Sunday, Minister Jones urged the congregation to pray for the family during their time of grief.

President of the Trelawny Association of Lay Magistrates, Kenneth Grant, after being informed of the incident, urged residents to report disputes among family members to justices of the peace, noting that a vast number of them are trained mediators. He stressed, however, that disputes are oftentimes not brought to the attention of the justices.

“Unless the matters are brought to their [JPs] attention, the JPs cannot intervene, so residents must ensure that disputes are referred to them, so they can get involved in the matters so as to prevent deaths and loss of property, and matters ending up in court,” Grant argued.

He added that his association is spearheading several planned community meetings across the parish this year, in an effort to sensitise residents on the role and function of JPs.