A Vincentian woman has been charged with the murder of her two children and attempted murder of her husband in England.
Veronique John, 49, from Stoke-on-Trent, a city in central England, is slated to appear in court on Thursday, charged with murder in connection with the death of her children, Ethan John, 11, and Elizabeth John, 7, both of whom died at a house, in Flax Street, Stoke.
In statements on its Facebook page, Stoke-on-Trent Police said that at 2:04 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, they were called to a car wash on Campbell Road after a man was stabbed.
The man was not seriously injured and has since been discharged from hospital.
Following the incident, police went to a home on Flax Street and arrested Veronique John in connection with the stabbing.
Whilst at the address, Ethan and Elizabeth were both found unresponsive with significant injuries inside.
“Sadly, despite the best efforts of police officers and paramedics, they could not be saved and both died at the scene,” police said.
Veronique was then further arrested on suspicion of murder and questioned by detectives.
Stoke-on-Trent Police quoted Ethan’s school as describing him as “a wonderful member of our school community.
“He had impeccable manners and an infectious smile. He will be hugely missed by the staff and pupils alike and will forever be part of our hearts.”
In a tribute to Elizabeth, her school said: “Elizabeth was a kind, caring and friendly member of our school family. She was a ray of sunshine who always had a smile on her face. She was everyone’s friend – she was both bright and popular. The loss of Elizabeth is truly devastating for us all and her absence will leave a huge hole within our school community.”
John is the second Vincentian woman to be charged with murder in England in less than a year.
Last October, Chelsea Grant, who a Kingstown magistrate urged to change her attitude before joining the British Navy was charged with murder of a 71-year-old woman in the United Kingdom.
Grant, 27, and Xyaire Howard, 22, both originally of Ottley Hall, appeared in court in London, charged with the murder of Susan Hawkey.
The BBC reported that the couple was accused of tying up Hawkey in her London home and spending 14,000 pounds of her money in the days following her death.