The usual calm of the picturesque Bon Accord area in Tobago was shattered yesterday, following the murders of 62-year-old Anna Sundsval and 73-year-old Ake Alsoon.

The Swedish couple were found chopped about their bodies in their villa at the Anthony Charles Crescent around 10 a.m. The year's murder toll in Tobago is now four while the country's toll stands at 420 for the year thus far.

Robbery is said to be the motive as a safe that was kept in the two-storey house was broken into and emptied.

Police said the bodies were discovered by a security officer who was on patrol in the area. Upon checking the premises she heard loud screams and observed a man running away from the scene. She then contacted the police.

Police arrived with emergency personnel and discovered Sundsval dead on the scene, while Alsoon was barely alive. He was later rushed to the Scarborough Regional Hospital but died moments after.

County Medical Officer of Health, Dr Mentor Melville, described Alsoon's condition as "the worst" he had ever seen in his life as a doctor. "This was very brutal. There was a laceration from the bridge of the right side of the nose down to the ear, there was another laceration in the maxillary (jaw) area, it seems to be a deep wound. A very brutal act, this is the worst I have ever seen," Melville said.

President of the Hotel and Tourism Association, Carol Ann Birchwood-James, admitted that this was not something the tourism sector needs at this time in Tobago, especially when the association is trying to enhance the tourism thrust.

"Well this is a devastating blow to our tourism and we could have done without this today. It is a sad day for our tourism," James said.

Sundsval was found on a bed upstairs lying crouched against a wall, while Alsoon was found lying on his back downstairs. The couple recently bought the villa and were said to be travelling to and from Tobago and Sweden.

Police said the property was robbed sometime last year and additional security measures were instituted with the placing of barbed wire along the fencing of the house. Police said it appears the assailant knew the movements of the couple and strategically planned the attack.

Tourism Secretary Neil Wilson also said he is very distraught over the murders, and empathised with the families. Wilson said it was a sad day not only for Tobago but the people and the Caribbean region, adding that the murders reminded him of the recent double murder of honeymoon English couple Ben and Catherine Mullany on July 27 at their seaside cottage at the island's Cocos Bay resort in Antigua. Officers from the Special Anti Crime Unit in Trinidad arrived in Tobago by helicopter yesterday afternoon to assist in investigations. Scarborough and Crown Point CID officials along with the Homicide Bureau are spearheading investigations.

(Trinidad Express)