view of her horrified colleagues, the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce has decided to reoccupy the scene of the crime.

Shortly after Mrs. Rochelle Marcia West was killed in the Chamber's Albuoy's Point offices on January 5, Chamber president Mr. Robert Rego announced that the organisation would abandon the premises in favour of offices that were "more conducive'' to workplace activity.

In February, however, Mr. Rego backtracked on the statement, saying the special Chamber committee charged with finding a new headquarters for the body was having problems locating a site that was both adequate and affordable.

Mrs. West, 30, had been a receptionist in the Chamber's Hamilton office for approximately a year.

Her estranged husband, 26-year-old Rudolph West of St. George's, has been charged with her premeditated murder.

"While we have yet to find a permanent replacement for Rochelle West, we have been fortunate to have the helpful assistance of part-time staff and many Chamber volunteers,'' executive vice-president Ms Carolyn Mello said in a statement announcing the decision.

"Effective April 17, 1995, the Chamber will be returning to our offices on Front Street above the Visitors Service Bureau.

"We thank all our members for the support (they) have shown us during these tough times and we look forward to seeing (them) back in our old home.'' The "old'' offices, Ms Mello further stated, will have been given "a whole new look'' by the time the Chamber moves in, including new wall-to-wall carpeting and ceiling tiles, a fresh coat of paint and a new security system.

"Plans are also in place to re-design the office layout so that it is both more welcoming and more efficient as a working environment,'' she said.

Since the murder, both Mr. Rego and Ms. Mello had indicated that a return to the murder site might be too upsetting for Chamber of Commerce staff, most of whom have undergone trauma counselling since witnessing Mrs. West's stabbing.

But in announcing the decision to reoccupy the site, Ms Mello said many of the employees had accepted going back.

"All of us at the Chamber feel positive about this move,'' she said. "The Front Street location has been the home of the Chamber for many years. It will be good to get back to business as usual.''