What we now know of Madge Davis’ death, as she’s laid to rest

Davis gruesome death three months ago jolted the entire Old Harbour community, a place she called home her entire life.

However, new details have emerged regarding her death after the body of the 70-year-old retired businesswoman was found inside her Marlie Acres home, razed by fire on August 28.

Many weeks later following the fiery incident, a DNA analysis was carried out on the charred remains by the police's forensic unit which formally confirmed the deceased to be Davis.

At the time the police say several leads are being pursued but the details were not clear-cut.

An autopsy was subsequently performed with the coroner revealing some interesting findings.

Based on the report of the pathologist, investigators have opened up a murder probe, Old Harbour News can report, into the death of the Christian woman who was a member of the Refuge Temple Apostolic Faith church. 

"Based on what the pathologist found, she was stabbed multiple times in the chest and her head was bashed in before the house was set ablaze," said Detective Inspector Tazio Stewart, who heads the Old Harbour CIB.

• Body retrieved from fire at Old Harbour home

At the scene on the day Davis' life was cruelly taken away, there were signs of suspected foul play, but the evidence were circumstantial at best, said Detective Stewart.

The pathologist's report has confirmed what many surmised about how the quiet and jovial Davis died.

A 100-pound cooking gas cylinder was observed amongst the rubble inside the four-bedroom house. The backdoor, a white panel type, was noticeably removed from the hinges and not amongst the burnt debris. It was unsoiled.

So far this case seems like it will be one of those homicides that requires plenty of meticulous work. Detective Stewart told Old Harbour News that he and his team have been analysing every piece of information with microscopic lenses, but so far not even a suspect can be pinned to the heinous crime. 

Since the opening up of an investigation, the police have learned that Davis’ home was burglarized on several occasions but she never filed a formal report at the police station.

Perhaps, if she had done so, the investigation would have progressed further, the chief investigator said.

“From those past burglaries it’s highly likely that we would have had fingerprints and other data in our system that we perhaps could match or linked to a possible suspect. But it’s very difficult for us now because the fire destroyed a lot of the crucial evidence inside the house,” said Detective Stewart.

“We are still actively looking into it,” he said in an assured tone before calling on the public to come forward with “any form of information they have on the matter” which could lead them to a breakthrough.

“No matter how slight it [information] might sound it can be useful,” he said. 

The life of Madge Davis will be remembered today at a special memorial service. Her body, which was burnt beyond recognition, will be cremated at a later date.