By Rasbert Turner, STAR Writer

St. Catherine

Seven children are now without their mother after their father allegedly used a hoe to hit her in the head killing her on the spot yesterday.

The dead woman has been identified as Nathalie Wright, 38, unemployed of August Town, Glengoffe, St. Catherine, while her husband, Hugh Wright is being sought by the police.

Reports are that about 3 p.m., Wright and her husband, also 38, who were reportedly having problems for sometime, had a dispute. It is alleged that her husband used a hoe to hit her in the head. She died on the spot.

According to Detective Sergeant Orville Smith who is investigating, the man allegedly fled the scene and has not been seen around since. He said the police are pursuing leads to locate him. He told THE STAR that the motive for the killing of the woman is the result of a long-standing family dispute.

This latest murder brings to 21, the number of persons killed in St. Catherine North since the start of the year. This number is six times more than for the corresponding period last year.

Of this number, there is one multiple murder where five persons were killed in an incident in Bog Walk, St. Catherine last week.