Child killing witnesses sought

(CNS):The police are appealing to shift workers, people exercising or other early risers who may have been out and about in the areas of Hirst Road, Shamrock Road, High Rock Road or Queens Highway in the small hours of Monday morning, 27 October, to help in the ongoing investigation into the murder of 6-year-old Bethany Butler. Police are hoping someone may have seen a light coloured Hyundai Tucson SUV sometime between 3am and 4am in Savannah or East End.

They are asking anyone who may have seen the vehicle which Bethany’s mother is understood to have used when she drove to East End and in which the police discovered Bethany’s body.

“Although very early in the morning, it is not uncommon for shift workers or other peoples to be out exercising on the road at this time,” an RCIPS spokesperson said as they urged people to come forward and help police with this line of enquiry “This would assist the investigation piece together the last movements of this vehicle suspected of being driven by Tamara Butler.”

Tamara Olita Butler, Bethany’s mother, was arrested on suspicion of the murder shortly after the child was found dead in the car parked on a side road off the Queens Highway in the Barefoot Beach area. Bethany died as a result of multiple stab wounds but police have not yet interviewed her mother, who remains under police guard at the Cayman Islands Hospital.

It is understood that Butler had also tried to take her own life after allegedly killing her daughter. She remains under observation by mental health staff as police wait to interview the suspect. 

In the meantime, the police are asking anyone who may have some information to contact the Major Incident Room at the George Town Police Station  on 926 3975, any district police station, or Crime Stoppers on 949 8477 (TIPS).