The mother of Maria Paul has finally received DNA confirmation that human remains found in Wallerfield are those of her daughter.
Paul, 19, was last seen at the home of a male acquaintance in the Heights of Aripo, on September 12, 2024. Several pieces of clothing believed to be those of Paul's were found in the days after her disappearance, before human remains were eventually found in a shallow grave. Speaking with Guardian Media at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, on Thursday, Paul's mother, Ria Hussein-Thompson said she collected the DNA report, which confirmed the remains were in fact those of her daughter. She said she was grateful to finally receive the results and closure.
"It's a heartbreaking thing because I never got the chance to enjoy the company of my daughter as an adult. "She just turned 19-years-old and this came and happened to her." Hussein-Thompson added that while she now has closure, the grief was still a part of her life, as there have been no updates on arrests in relation to her daughter's murder. She however thanked the Hunter's Search and Rescue Team for its support and guidance in following-up on the case. Hussein-Thompson said she intended to hold her daughter's funeral this Saturday.