Vulnerable senior dies after 2 strangers take control of her life; family says they called her ‘Mommy’ — CBC

Family loses contact with Licorish

Licorish’s relatives began searching for her after they could not reach her for weeks and found her home appearing abandoned. They contacted police, while her nieces, Susanne Perch and Andrea Phillips-Beckles, sought answers about what had happened.

Her close friend and former nursing colleague, Christiana Egi, said Licorish showed memory problems as early as 2018. In early 2024, Licorish told Egi that Daniel Gopie and Elton John Rambarrat had moved into her basement and were helping around the house.

Documents raised concerns

The family’s first warning signs came in June 2024, when Licorish’s landline was disconnected and a cousin heard that the tenants said the house belonged to them. The following month, Licorish gave the men powers of attorney covering her property and personal care, then signed a will leaving them her assets, including her Toronto home.

In September 2024, Ontario’s Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee began investigating after a real estate lawyer raised concerns. The lawyer had been asked to add the men to the property title but refused when Licorish could not recall their names.

Court records say the men accompanied Licorish to appointments with her longtime doctor. The doctor later reported that Licorish was surprised by the powers of attorney documents and did not remember signing them. The doctor had concerns about her memory and arranged an assessment, but Rambarrat cancelled it.

Questions about protection

Medical notes from August 2025 recorded a history of dementia, though the date of diagnosis was unclear. CBC’s the fifth estate reported that Licorish was in a South American country during a video hearing before a Toronto judge last May and did not know where she was when asked a question.

Phillips-Beckles said Gopie began calling Licorish “Mommy.” She said she wanted justice because, in her view, police had not taken the matter seriously. Rambarrat said Licorish wanted to make the arrangements and that the lawyer who prepared the will considered it acceptable. Lawyer Veena Pohani declined an interview, citing solicitor-client privilege.