Delisha’s Family Seeks Answers, Michael’s Family Mourns
As the public searches for answers in the deaths of Michael Williams and Delisha Estrada, two families are living with pain, loss and unanswered questions. The case has renewed concerns about domestic violence and the warning signs that may have come before the tragedy. Estrada’s relatives are mourning a young woman they believe was taken from them. Williams’ family, meanwhile, says it does not defend what happened, but asks the public to recognize its grief while investigators piece together the full story. Shane Williams reports.
Shane Williams, Reporting
When domestic violence ends in death, the grief reaches beyond one household. One family mourns a loved one they believe was taken from them, while another struggles with the painful knowledge that their relative may have caused that loss. For Michael Williams’ family, there is grief, remorse and the painful reality of having to bury a loved one under a cloud of public condemnation. Thirty-one-year-old Michael was found dead alongside his partner, twenty-one-year-old Delisha Estrada, inside their Santa Elena home earlier this week. Police have said there were previous reports of domestic violence and are hoping post-mortem examinations will help establish what happened inside that house.
Hilberto Romero
ACP Hilberto Romero, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch
“We are carrying out a full investigation to determine the facts, but at this time, we are – we, we will await the postmortem results to determine the cause of death.”
Reporter
“Is this a case of murder-suicide?”
ACP Hilberto Romero
“We cannot fully state at this time until the conclusion of the post-mortems.”
Williams’ family mourns with Delisha’s loved ones. They understand the outrage, but say they are also grieving.
On The Phone: Deidra Williams, Sister of Deceased
“We just want to say that, you know, our deepest condolences as well to the, the female side of the family. We’ve told her mom, but, we just want to, to include her as well, you know.”
For this family, grief does not mean defending every action attributed to Michael.
On The Phone: Deidra Williams
“My brother was a human being as well. He had his faults at time, you know, but he was also someone’s son, you know, a brother, uncle, and a loved one as well. The same respect should be given to both families, I think, in my opinion, while we wait for the truth and the police to, to do what they need to do.”
There is also a child at the center of this tragedy, a young son whose parents will never come home. He was with the father’s family at the time of the tragedy.
On The Phone: Aunt of Delisha Estrada
“All through this they say that the baby was with the young man family. That da weh we get to understand and they come drop the baby off yesterday.”
Shane Williams
“So now the baby is with you all?”
Aunt of Delisha Estrada
“Yes, the baby is with all of us. It’s difficult especially with the baby because the baby there ask for him, ma. The baby done ask for his ma.”
While Delisha’s family mourns and demands answers, Michael’s relatives are wrestling with grief, public anger and the possibility that his actions caused two families unimaginable pain.
On The Phone: Deidra Williams
“It’s really unfair that fingers are being pointed at both direction and people need to understand that it was only both of them living together for them to be pointing fingers at this side or that side or, you know. They had their history of domestic violence and stuff like that but I honestly would like for people to, with all respect I’m saying it, to keep their opinion to themselves, especially if they don’t know.”
Two families. Two sets of relatives left to mourn. Shane Williams for News Five.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
Watch the full newscast here: