– “It was his torment, the fire, the hit and run, the burglary, it was all so much for her”
By Abena Rockcliffe
Teekadia ‘Atiya’ Solomon’s life with her husband Alroy Solomon was characterized by “difficult” periods as he often accused her of having affairs; proof of which he never found. Alroy’s paranoia forced him to take extreme measures, even inspecting his wife’s private parts from time to time. But the last year of Atiya’s life, as her friends called her, was beyond what she had grown accustomed. This is the account of one of the dead woman’s friends who spoke to Guyana Standard on the grounds of anonymity.
Atiya was killed this morning by Alroy who turned the gun on himself after wounding their 10-year-old son Jerimiah.
The couple had been together for about 14 years. The beginning of their story was blissful as they were friends before becoming lovers. While they lived together for well over a decade, the couple only got married about five years ago. But according to reports, Alroy was abusive even before the knots were tied.
They both came from “broken homes” and vowed to change the cycle for their boy whose fate turned out to be much worse.
Atiya was described as a tower of strength as she endured unspeakable things at the hands of her husband but never faltered as a mother. She continued to prioritize her “mommy duties” without fail, even when she was in pain.
Guyana Standard understands that within the last year, Atiya lost about 50 pounds, which she attributed to stress. “He would beat her in the presence of the son. A year ago, he beat her and broke a rib.”
Reports are that Alroy’s tactics were no different to most other abusers as he isolated his victim. “She had to hide to talk to us. If we had a conversation on Whatsapp, she had to erase all traces or it would be extremely problematic. The only person he trusted was his mother and “she is all for him,” a friend recounted.
On July 26, Atiya’s home where she lived with her killer and their son, was destroyed by fire. That fire was said to have been electrical in origin. Since the couple were having much problems before the fire, they decided to go their separate ways.
Atiya sought refuge at her father’s home in Sophia. Her son was at a church camp when armed men invaded the Sophia living quarters. The burglars beat everyone in the house including Atiya. That was on July 30.
Alroy then helped Atiya to find an Airbnb to spend the night. She later moved to the Charlotte Street house where she was killed this morning. Her time there also featured the usual chaos.
Guyana Standard understands that while Atiya earned more, she was not allowed to be independent. Her abuser tried his best to curtail her movement and control every aspect of her life. “They had two cars, a fielder and a Vezel. He took possession of both of them because he never wanted her to drive. He told her he will use the Fielder for regular customers and the Vezel for expats. He would mostly take her around,” the friend explained.
On August 15, Alroy took Atiya to NIS for a transaction. While in that vicinity, she was involved in a hit and run, “accident”.
According to the friend, “no one knew where Alroy was when the accident happed. It was not clear. But Atiya was left in the trench bubbling.” Reports are that Atiya was knocked unconscious. She was eventually helped out of the trench by public spirited citizens.
That accident left her with an infected wound on the hand which Alroy took her every afternoon to be treated. “The trench water infected the wound and he would take her at 6 PM every day to get the wound clean and redressed.”
The friend could not say what might have been the final straw this morning but said, “If anyone knows, his mother will. Alroy’s mother encourages him. Atiya told me she heard the mother telling Alroy that Atiya is demonstrating behaviour of a cheater. Alroy grew up without his father. His mother told Atiya how much he needed his father growing up and she does not want Jerry to grow the same.”
Atiya’s friend said that the son was tired of witnessing the abuse his mother endured. “She told me she had a conversation with him and he told her ‘mommy, I will always choose to stay with you.”
Guyana Standard understands that the injured boy secured one of the top schools after writing the Grade 6 exam earlier this year.
