‘Post-Mortem’ killer free on parole; dumped wife’s body in field near African Lion Safari
It was 20 years ago, in September, that a man bludgeoned and strangled his wife to death in their home in Mississauga, then drove 60 kilometres before dumping her body in a field in Flamborough near African Lion Safari.
The following spring, when a jogger on a country road discovered her decomposed body covered only by a white satin nightie, Hamilton police investigated.
It seemed improbable that the mystery victim - Yvette Budram - would be identified, much less that her husband, Mohan Ramkissoon, caught before he fled for his native Guyana.
But an exhaustive forensic investigation ultimately led police to arrest Ramkissoon at Pearson airport holding a hastily purchased one-way plane ticket - Have to be there immediately; death in the family," he told his travel agent - and he was convicted in 2004 of second-degree murder.
To Budram's eldest daughter, Lisa, it also seemed improbable her mother's killer would be set free from prison - at least not yet.
But it's happening.
Ramkissoon, 54, was granted full parole two weeks ago by the Parole Board of Canada after serving 16 years of his life sentence. He had become eligible to apply for parole two years ago.
When I got the call from the parole board, I was mad, tears flowed; I just didn't expect it now," Lisa told The Spectator. I don't believe 16 years is worth my mother's life. She has missed all the milestones, including her five grandkids."
Lisa, who asked that her married name not be published out of concern for privacy and employment, said she believes Ramkissoon will target another woman in the future: This is a pattern of behaviour."
Ramkissoon will be deported to Guyana - he never had Canadian citizenship - and conditions include advising authorities should he plan to return to Canada," and to report all sexual and non-sexual friendships with females" to his parole supervisor.
The board wrote that on psychological tests Ramkissoon scored on the low range of risk" for violent recidivism, and that he has taken accountability for killing Budram.
He had denied his guilt for years, including in a prison interview in 2005 with The Spectator, in which he wept and blamed her murder on a man with whom she had an affair.
The Spectator documented the homicide investigation in a 25-part series and book, titled Post-Mortem: Justice at Last for Yvette Budram."
The board wrote that Ramkissoon had no additional criminal convictions, but noted he was wanted for a 1987 homicide in the U.S. before he moved to Canada: a beating and stabbing death in the Bronx in New York City.
But since he has not been charged, the board wrote it is not placing any weight towards these allegations."
The victim in the New York City case was Rampati Chattergoon. Her daughter, Radhica Rudolph, attended Ramkissoon's parole board hearings and told The Spectator in an email she is devastated he is being released.
He murdered my mother in cold blood after she refused to allow him to marry my sister. He continues to deny it ... I pray no other families have to go through what my family and Yvette Budram's went through, and that God will grant these victims justice."
Sean Butler, a detective with Bronx homicide squad, said in an email that it's frustrating to hear Ramkissoon is released, but Canadian authorities have been great with co-operation and I respect their judicial responsibilities."
Butler said he is working hard to bring a case forward to prosecute" against Ramkissoon. On my end, I will never close the case."
Jon Wells is a Hamilton-based reporter and feature writer for The Spectator. Reach him via email: jwells@thespec.com