Police investigating the death of a British mother who died in a fire in Barbados say there is “nothing to indicate” she was killed by an intruder.
Natalie Crichlow, 44, was reportedly strangled and set alight by an unknown intruder while she lay in bed at her brother’s home in Christ Church.
A GoFundMe page, local media reports and her niece said the man had thrown flammable liquid on her before setting the house on fire.
A family friend described Ms Crichlow as a ‘true warrior’
But Barbados police say they have “very high quality CCTV” from a neighbour’s house which “clearly demonstrated that no-one entered those premises for hours prior to the fire taking place”.
The commissioner of the Royal Barbados Police Force, Tyrone Griffith, said the fire was concentrated in the kitchen, where food was being prepared.
He added that investigators had not smelled accelerant at the home.
“About 13.43 hours, suddenly the house went up in flames with the seat of the fire being concentrated in the kitchen area,” he said.
“The fire rapidly engulfed the house and residents and workmen on a nearby house quickly sprang into action to assist.
“They broke away a sheet of galvanise from the yard to gain entry and assisted in getting to the deceased who was found in the yard badly burnt.”
Police say the fire was concentrated in the kitchen
Gas canisters were found in the kitchen and a fence at the home was fully intact, Mr Griffith said.
A post-mortem found Ms Crichlow, who was a mother-of-three, died from an infection as a result of the burns.
Her children, aged 10, 20 and 26, want to bring her body back to the UK and a GoFundMe page has been set up for the repatriation.
The Luton-born mother had survived cancer twice and had two strokes in the past decade, and was said to be a “true warrior and survivor”.
Natalie Crichlow died from an infection caused by her burn injuries
Her niece Ashley Best previously said: “The intruder broke in the house, then strangled her and then set her alight.
“I do not understand why it happened and we are all in a state of shock.”
Mr Griffith said Ms Crichlow’s death is being treated as “unnatural” and confirmed investigations are still ongoing.
