Mother shocked by fatal stabbing
Police officers outside Falcon House in Sliema where two men died of stab wounds, yesterday. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
The circumstances that led to the Sliema double homicide on New Year's Day are still shrouded in mystery but the mother of one of the dead men does not believe her son was the type to go stealing with two knives in hand.
Speaking to timesofmalta.com from her apartment in Blanche Huber Street where her son lived with her, Tanya Gera is shocked by what happened.
"Nicky was my baby and I still cannot accept what happened," she said this morning with tears streaming from her eyes.
Her son Nicholas, 26, and Duncan Zammit, 32, died after they got into a violent fight with knives on New Year's Day.
Mr Gera is believed to have broken into Mr Zammit's apartment in High Street Sliema at around 6 a.m. The fight took place in the presence of Mr Zammit's wife, Claire Zammit Xuereb, and their three-month old twins – who were sleeping in another room.
Police seem to have discarded the initial theory that Mr Gera's was a botched robbery and are still trying to establish the link between the intruder and the couple.
Describing her son as "a quiet and reserved" person, Mr Gera's mother has no idea whether the two men knew each other.
"I am shocked and cannot accept what happened. He is not the type to use a knife... no, not my Nicky. It must be devastating even for the other guy's family, leaving twins fatherless," a visibly distraught Mrs Gera said.
Her son had been working at a restaurant on New Year's Eve and after it closed he went to have a drink at a St Julians pub, according to Mrs Gera. The last recorded communication seems to be a phone call Mr Gera made to a friend at around 5 a.m., almost an hour before he is reported to have entered Mr Zammit's apartment.
"I was shocked when the police came knocking on my door in the morning because until then I had no idea Nicky was not in bed," she said.
Mr Gera would have been 27 on Thursday.
The police are still trying to establish the facts surrounding the double homicide and the two autopsies are underway.
See also:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120102/local/stabbing.400753
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19 Comments
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Ilona Holland
Jan 3rd 2012, 04:41
From the USA we send all our prayers to the Gera and Zammit families. Prayers to keep all of your hearts warm and open to each other in a time when you want to turn the other way, prayers to keep God at your heart center and know he is always with you all and in him you will find strength always. Prayers for every family member and friend as well as those cute little angels to stick together in light and love, even if right now there seems to be only darkness. You are all in our thoughts, words and prayers. God Bless!
Lu Mercieca
Jan 2nd 2012, 23:41
I know both mothers. I usually only pray to thank and praise God, but in this case, I made an exception. Both need all the prayers we can give them. So let us pray for them and try to carry some of their pain for them.
Mark Caruana
Jan 2nd 2012, 21:09
Thank you Dr Bezzina for intervening in such a sad time for all the country. These are two men which surely our nation could not afford to loose in such a tragic man. May God have mercy on their souls. Whatever happened is to be dealt with the creator and he is just and merciful.
Mr Stephen Bonnici
Jan 2nd 2012, 17:26
well said @DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Jan 2nd 2012, 16:46
I believe this Nation, my Nation, our People, WE THE MALTESE, this constitutionally catholic country should reflect deeply by way of a self analysis : how many made comments yesterday on this national website which clearly were apparently far from reality or the facts as were or the facts that somehow in time will emerge? Please reflect and before you are sure, refrain from commenting as clearly there is most certainly much more than currently meets the eye. Let us simply say a prayer in however manner we know or whatever is our belief.
Gossipping is a national passtime in this country and hence why we are such a litigious nation with so many useless cases ending up in Court , consuming and wasting very precious time. Silence is Golden when the facts are not well-grasped.
P Bonnici
Jan 2nd 2012, 18:12
You seem like a very wise and upright man Dr Bezzina, I wish all the court staff had the same views as you and put them into practice.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jan 3rd 2012, 08:23
"...............this Nation, my Nation, our People, WE THE MALTESE, this constitutionally catholic country ............" We would have sufficed.
Mr emanuel busuttil
Jan 2nd 2012, 15:14
when something like this happens only those left behind are the real victims. we as a small nation are shocked by such incidents whereas to others its a daily occurance, read the British papers for starters..............
mark borg
Jan 2nd 2012, 19:02
Mr Busuttil
God forbid our crime rate would be anything near to that of Great Britain or other countries...do not forget here we are a mere 400,000 people and 124 sq km large. You could compare Malta to one town (and not a large one) of the UK. So any comparisons be it crime or any other issue are simply irrelevant
James Dewar
Jan 3rd 2012, 11:56
Simply not true and a gross distortion of the facts. A tragedy is a tragedy irrespective of where it takes place and many lives are subsequently destroyed for ever. To suggest that there is a resigned acceptance to such incidents in the UK is absolute rubbish.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jan 2nd 2012, 14:37
From the very beginning I said that it smells fishy. Burglars are normally unemployed not part timers. Would a potential burglar do his stuff after working all night?
Mark Mangion
Jan 2nd 2012, 15:49
This is no burglary - period. What is reckless is the media which first came out with the assumption that it was a botched burglary. I sincerely hope that the police will arrive at the truth, not merely for justice sake, but also to provide an explanation to the grieving families. That will be their only consolation and may God grant them strength through this difficult time.
Francis Coquelin
Jan 2nd 2012, 18:40
OK Sherlock, we get your point.
Peter Agius
Jan 2nd 2012, 14:14
The Police , know exactly what happened, but can they conclude their investigations?????????????
Peter Agius
Jan 2nd 2012, 14:12
To the Geras. Condolences.
S.M. Cuschieri
Jan 2nd 2012, 13:56
I still say how sad whatever the situation. I actually believed it to be a robbery but even if it was not and there were certain issues, we are no one to point fingers and cast stones. May god be with the families at such a sad time.
Charmaine Bugeja
Jan 2nd 2012, 13:50
Condolences to the families involved :(
Ms maria bonnici
Jan 2nd 2012, 13:47
oh my god!!!!! hope you will both find peace in the afterlife!!!!!
robert pace
Jan 2nd 2012, 21:11
Well said Ms Bonnici , they know and both finished the way they did ! Let you both find Peace finally!!
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