KINGSTON, Jamaica — Several charges have been laid against two Westmoreland women following the discovery of the body of 69-year-old woman in a mummified state in Old Hope district, Little London, in the parish recently.

Gena Robinson, 54, and Lavern Wedderburn, 49, have been charged after the body of Viola Destin of Good Hope district, Sheffield, Westmoreland, was found.

The duo has been charged with concealment of a corpse, preventing the lawful burial of a corpse, perverting the course of justice , conspiracy to concealment of a corpse and conspiracy to prevent the lawful burial of a corpse.

According to reports from the Savanna-la-Mar police, Wedderburn saw Destin begging in Savanna-la-Mar sometime in 2023 and told Robinson about her situation. Robinson and Wedderburn then sought advice from a pastor overseas, and following his instructions, they started to care for Destin. Shortly after, Destin became gravely ill and was moved to Robinson’s house in the Old Hope district, where she died on Sunday, December 10.

Following her death, the caregivers opted to conceal the body inside a room at the house and sprinkled it with chemicals and baking soda to keep the stench down.

A relative of Robinson stumbled upon the makeshift grave at the house on Sunday, July 6, and summoned the police. On their arrival, the mummified remains of the elderly woman were found covered beneath sheets, plastic and tarpaulin.

Following the discovery, the scene was processed, and the remains were transported to the morgue pending a post-mortem.

Robinson was taken in custody the very same day the body was found and Wedderbun three days later.

They were charged on Tuesday, July 15, after they gave caution statements.

They also confessed to the roles they played in question-and-answer sessions in the presence of two justices of the peace.

A court date is being finalised for them.