Authorities in Trinidad on Tuesday released the autopsy results of the 79-year-old British actress who was found dead in her home last week.
The Post Mortem conducted by Forensic Science Centre, in Federation Park found that Viscella ‘Vikki’ Richards died of blunt force trauma to her head and face.
Her family released a statement yesterday, saying they were in mourning over her ‘violent and brutal’ death and have made an appeal for those with information on her killing to come forward.
The star was found with her hands bound inside her home in Valsayn on the North coast of Trinidad, on Wednesday in what police now believe to be a home invasion.
Her body was discovered by a friend who went to her property to check on the actress, after being unable to get in contact with her since Tuesday evening. The friend arrived at the actress’s house and found the front gate closed.
She then called out to Richards a few times after noticing the front door was ajar, before stumbling upon the body as she searched the house for her. Local officials have confirmed there were no other marks of violence on her body when she was found.
Pieces of her jewelry, relatives said, are still missing.
Richards, who used the stage name Vikki Richards, had a successful international film and modelling career in the UK during the 60s and 70s, the family said, but had chosen to spend her later years in the country she was born.
Her family who sent a statement from Canada said: ‘During this period of mourning and grief, we are sustained and comforted by our knowledge of the enormous impact she had on the many lives she touched as a successful actress and fashion model in England, and later on in her career in theatre and broadcasting in Trinidad and Tobago. She was a beautiful person inside and out,’ The statement said.
Relatives are awaiting further news from local authorities, the statement added.
‘Her entire family who loved and cared for her are deeply saddened by the devastating circumstances surrounding her untimely death and we await further news from the local authorities.
‘As we seek justice for Viscella, the family will continue to fully cooperate with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) as they conduct a thorough investigation into the events surrounding Viscella’s tragic death. We ask that anyone who knows or saw something to please contact the TTPS,’ it said.
No one has been arrested in connection with her killing so far. Her funeral is now being planned for April, A family source revealed.
A police spokesman said: We have been contacted by the family and are currently carrying out a full investigation. We encourage members of the community to contact us with any meaningful information they might have so we can investigate this fully and to bring closure for the family.
