By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PREGNANT mom Lauren Saunders tenderly strokes her baby bump - just days before both died when the mother-of-two was reportedly murdered.

Her family’s desperate search for the missing seven-month pregnant mother ended in anguish yesterday when her partially decomposed body was found in bushes off Munnings Road.

Police have not confirmed the identity of the victim, but it is believed to be 30-year-old Lauren, who had been missing since Sunday.

A man has been in custody for two days, helping police inquiries.

Heartbreaking scenes unfolded early yesterday morning as family members screamed and sobbed behind the police tape, with some breaking past officers to get closer. One woman collapsed and had to be treated by paramedics.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Earl Thompson said officers found the body around 8am while following leads in the missing person investigation. He said foul play is suspected, and confirmed that the woman appeared to be pregnant. No weapon was found, though physical evidence was collected from the scene.

ACP Thompson said relatives were kept informed throughout the search despite their frustration with the pace of the investigation.

Emotions spilled over when Ms Saunders’ sister, Charmaine Edgecombe, broke through the police barrier as the remains were taken from the scene. “Y’all say something to us then. Nobody ain’t say nothing to us,” she cried as relatives restrained her.

Family members said they filed a missing person’s report Sunday night after Ms Saunders failed to show up for a function at Atlantis. Her Jeep was later found off Coral Harbour Road with a flat tyre; her purse and shoes were still inside.

Relatives and officers searched dense bushes near Coral Harbour and Gladstone Road on Tuesday, pressing on into the night in hopes of finding her alive.

Two relatives, Patricia Waterman and Shandeka Evans, said they had searched near Munnings Drive hours before the grim discovery but were stopped from going farther.

Reverend Ordette Wells-Simms, of Holy Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church where Ms Saunders worshipped, urged the family to hold on to faith as she comforted them at the scene.

“We crying with hope,” she said. “We’re going to wait on the law and we’re going to stand on what God wants us to stand on: faith. We’re gonna have the faith that justice will prevail.”

Latanya Jean Jacques recalled Ms Saunders’ devotion to her faith and her two young children.

One of Lauren’s closest friends, who asked for her name to be withheld,  yesterday described her as a ‘loving, caring and fun girl,’ who was an excellent mother to her two young children.

“She was fun and liked to party but since she got pregnant, she not been out much,” said the friend.

“She was excited about the new baby. This is all so sad.”

Lauren is beloved to have lived in a home in a shared family property with her two children in Chippingham, Fort Charlotte. 

“We don’t know exactly what happened but we started getting messages on our WhatsApp group around 11am Sunday saying Lauren was missing,” added the friend. 

“We heard she went off to meet someone but then no one heard anything. She just disappeared. And then we all started looking for her.”

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said police acted swiftly after Ms Saunders was reported missing on Sunday. Although he claimed a missing person’s flyer was issued that day, The Tribune found that none were posted in a WhatsApp group police share with media, nor was any posted on the RBPF’s Facebook page or website. Officials did not respond to this newspaper’s questions about where the missing person flyer was issued.

By Tuesday, Mr Munroe said, 69 officers, supported by drones and K-9 units, searched bushes, ponds, and coastal areas, wading through waist-deep water as they followed leads that ultimately led to the discovery.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said he and his wife were saddened by the death. “We call for justice for Lauren. Whoever is responsible must be held accountable. Violence against women has no place in our society and must be met with the full weight of the law,” he said in a statement.

Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard also extended condolences to the family.