Senior Multimedia Reporter
Hours after Stefan Khandan and Giselle Ougrah were found dead in their Penal apartment in what police are investigating as a suspected murder-suicide, Khandan’s sister appealed to the public not to judge her brother solely on the circumstances surrounding his death, while acknowledging that the couple’s relationship had become increasingly toxic.
Khandan, 27, a labourer of Bocaud Trace, Penal Rock Road, and Ougrah, 23, of Torrib Trace, New Grant, had been involved in a turbulent relationship for more than a year. The couple began renting an apartment at Sundarsingh Trace, Penal, about a month ago.
According to her mother Feroza Ali, Ougrah packed her belongings and left Khandan last Monday. However, she said Khandan visited the family’s home on Wednesday and invited Ougrah to dinner.
The couple were not seen or heard from again.
Concern grew on Friday night when one of Ougrah’s relatives visited the apartment at Sundarsingh Trace, Batchyia Village, Penal. After receiving no response, a relative checked the property and reportedly saw Khandan hanging from a rafter while Ougrah lay on a blood-soaked bed.
Police later forced open the apartment and discovered both bodies in an early state of decomposition.
Investigators recovered a black knife measuring approximately ten inches during processing of the scene.
The District Medical Officer pronounced both dead and ordered that the bodies be removed for post-mortem examinations.
Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, Ougrah’s mother said her family had known Khandan for years, but she never expected her daughter to become involved with him.
Ali said Ougrah attended St Stephen’s College, earned 16 CSEC and CAPE subjects, operated her own hair salon in Princes Town and had recently qualified for a youth entrepreneurship programme.
Describing her daughter as hardworking and deeply involved in church activities, Ali said Ougrah had experienced an on-again, off-again relationship with Khandan after moving in with him more than a year ago.
Khandan’s sister, Stacyann Khandan, said the relationship was marked by repeated arguments, break-ups and reconciliations. She claimed her brother often objected to the way Ougrah dressed and to some of the people with whom she associated.
“Honestly speaking, she would do certain things that would irritate him,” Stacyann said.
She said she frequently encouraged her brother to work through the couple’s problems.
“I said, ‘You can work things out. Talk to her,’” she recalled.
Stacyann said she also spoke with Ougrah, but tensions between them eventually escalated to the point where Ougrah blocked her on social media.
Despite the couple’s difficulties, Stacyann said she hoped her brother would not be remembered only for the tragic events now under investigation.
“Everybody has their faults. I love my brother, and I know he was provoked because he is one who will take and take until he explodes,” she said.
However, Khandan’s father, Tony Khandan, described a relationship that had become increasingly volatile.
Physical altercations
He recalled witnessing physical altercations between the couple while they were living at his home on Bocaud Trace.
“He hitting the girl, the girl hitting him. Two of them hitting one another and fighting,” he said.
Tony said the arguments sometimes turned physical and, on one occasion, involved a knife. The situation prompted him to ask the couple to leave his home.
“I say, ‘Not here, not here, not in my place.’”
Describing his son as “ignorant” and a “hard weed smoker,” Tony said there was a time when Khandan attempted to confront him physically as well.
According to Tony, many of the couple’s disputes stemmed from jealousy and accusations of infidelity.
“Small thing they always arguing for. She accusing him of talking to girls and he accusing her of talking with men,” he said.
Tony said he last saw his son on Monday when Khandan visited to help with work around the house.
He noticed that his son appeared thinner and troubled.
Recalling their conversation, Tony said he asked Khandan how he was coping.
“Daddy, I have a real problem with that girl,” his son reportedly replied.
Tony said he urged him to return home, but Khandan never responded.
“That was the last time I saw him,” he said.
Police investigations are continuing, with autopsies expected to help determine the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths.
