A 31-year-old woman was hacked to death in a cutlass attack which also left her teenage daughter injured early Wednesday. 

Terisha Bridgelal, a doubles vendor, and her daughter Sydney were at their Piparo home when Bridgelal got into an argument with a relative over a cellphone.

The man took a cutlass out of his car and chopped Bridgelal to the face and chest. 

Sydney tried to intervene and was chopped on her left hand. She also received cuts to her right ear and right hand. 

The teen was treated and discharged from the Princes Town Health Facility.

Dr Varma Deyalsingh, secretary of the Association of Psychiatrists of T&T (APTT) said Wednesday that post partum depression (PPD) was feelings of depression in a woman after birth. 

He said it may occur soon after delivery usually the first three months of delivery and up to one year after delivery and occurs in ten to twenty per cent of women.

Deyalsingh said symptoms of depression should be discussed with family members and family doctor to determine severity and ways and means of managing it.

He also said the risk of recurrence was higher in a following pregnancy.

Deyalsingh said the symptoms were tearfulness, feeling sad and hopeless, feeling restless and moody, difficulty in focusing and making decisions, feeling worthless and guilty, lost of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed, withdrawing from family and friends, sleeping too little or too much, fatigue, change of appetite, suicidal thoughts, impaired concentration, feeling of inadequacy as a mother, negative thoughts of baby and fears of harming infant. He said there were physical symptoms such as headaches, chest pain, palpitations and dizziness.

Deyalsingh said sometimes it was not recognised by the patient but by the partner or relative. 

He said sometimes the patient may feel ashamed or guilty about these feelings and the doctor should always forewarn the patient about PPD so the patient can approach the doctor with less anticipation.

See the Trinidad Guardians on Thursday for more on this story.

Family and friends of a young mother were thrown into mourning yesterday after she died at hospital from injuries she sustained in a 40-foot fall at her home three days ago. Abigail Ragobar never regained consciousness after she was admitted to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital and died just after 2 pm yesterday.

However, in their time of grief, Ragobar’s family also reached out to society to highlight the effects of postpartum syndrome on mothers, since they believe this ultimately led to her tragic end. In a public post on Facebook yesterday, Ragobar’s sister, Charlotte Young Sing, gave details of the events which led up to Ragobar’s death.

At the time of the post, however, Ragobar was still alive and the post also paid tribute to her life and asked family and loved ones to pray for her. It was shared 2,000 times by Young Sing’s Facebook friends.

Young Sing said Ragobar, a mother of two, “lived for her children — Portia and newborn Raphael — and would never do anything to hurt herself or the ones she loves but her disillusioned state left her vulnerable to danger.” She recalled the heart-wrenching moment when she found her sister on Monday morning at 5.45 am.

“Words cannot describe what it was like finding her body nestled in a lemon tree but after saying the ‘Our Father’ out loud, God gave me the strength to pull her out. While her husband and my mom stood at my side holding up the branches of thorns. 

“Abby, as she is fondly called, is currently in critical condition and fighting for her life…past the point of a coma medically,” Young Sing wrote. She noted that the loss of her grandfather-in-law and grandfather in the past few months had initially led the family to believe that Ragobar was in grief but later on they realised it was something else: Postpartum syndrome.

“The perks of being a mom is tangible beautiful kids that love us unconditionally but what many people don’t tell you is that postpartum depression is real and its side effects can be devastating and its symptoms can be easily missed,” Young Sing posted.

Young Sing noted that it was her hope that by posting their story, others may be more attentive to the severity of postpartum depression.

“We hope that by sharing this post that we are able to make others more aware of postpartum depression and that awareness will save lives.”

Since the post was made yesterday morning prayers and best wishes poured in for Abby and her family. The family thanked all those who shared and wrote posts of support, saying they were overwhelmed.

“To all praying, we are deeply moved and overwhelmed with humility and thankfulness for your prayers, they do not go unnoticed. God is good and life is full of second chances and we are praying for a miracle,” Young Sing wrote at the time.

Although Young Sing’s post was a public one, she did not immediately respond to our attempts to contact her via a Facebook message yesterday.  

Cases on rise in T&T
Gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Sherene Kalloo says there have been an increasing number of postpartum depression cases in Trinidad and Tobago. She told the T&T Guardian yesterday that bout ten to 20 per cent of patients in our society “show signs of varying degrees of severity of the symptoms of postpartum depression.”

There is no one cause and the symptoms were not the same for each person, she said, but learning to identify them was very important as one of the most severe symptoms was suicidal thoughts.

Kalloo explained that postpartum depression was defined as feelings of sadness or depression after giving birth, soon after delivery, or usually within the first three months of delivery and could continue for up to one year.

“Causes are not specific. It’s been thought that a combination of factors will play a role. Hormonal imbalance, where a mother’s oestrogen, progesterone and cortisol levels fall dramatically after delivery, which causes changes in emotion and mood similar, or to a higher degree of those experienced during pre-menstruation, the PMS syndrome,” Kaloo said.

“Women who have a previous history of depression, or family history of depression, use of drugs and alcohol abuse, stressful life events, like marriage problems, inadequate family support, if a partner is not sharing duties, financial problems, or even the delivery of a still birth, are more susceptible.”

The symptoms vary as much as the causal factors... “feeling sad, feelings of hopelessness, restlessness, difficultly to focus and making decisions, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, loss of interest in doing things that brought you pleasure in the past, feelings of withdrawal from friends and family, sleeping too little or too much, fatigue, tiredness, extreme suicidal thoughts, extreme negative thoughts of the baby.”

There are physical symptoms as well, she pointed out, including “anxiety, palpitations, dizziness, headaches and chest pains.”

Kalloo said there was also the mild “baby blues” that could last anywhere between three days to two weeks in a lot of mothers “but this isn’t severe and does not need treatment. Family support can help with this. The problems are with those with suicidal thoughts and who may want to harm the baby. If left untreated, it can turn into disaster.”

Most times a patient may not want to talk about the depression they were experiencing but Kalloo encouraged relatives to look out for the signs and inform doctors about the possibility of postpartum depression in mothers.

“Don’t be afraid to do it because of the consequences that can occur,” she said. Moreover, she said postpartum anxiety did not discriminate who it affected.

“It can be someone who has been normal, had a normal pregnancy. Two out of every 1,000 births that are normal pregnancies can end up having PPD to the extreme of mothers having thoughts of suicide.”

However, it did seem to affect the lower socio-economic class at a greater rate, as they might be at a greater risk of having financial difficulties, she said.

“But there is the percentage of it happening to previously happy people,” she noted.

But postpartum depression could also affect a father, she said.

“Researchers are finding that men are also affected, not the hormonal aspect of it but the whole adjustment. Some think it’s a burden and can’t lime with the boys again... and the financial burden, so they get depressed and withdrawn.”

The new research has termed this occurrence as paternal postpartum depression.

“Some men can reach the point of anger and violent behaviour, extra marital relationships, decreased libido, few have even been documented as reaching suicidal thoughts but it’s all new research,” she said. — Cindy Raghubar-Teekersingh

GET HELP FOR THESE SYMPTOMS
Some of the more common symptoms of postpartum depression include:
• Feeling sad, hopeless, empty or overwhelmed.
• Crying more often than usual or for no apparent reason.
• Worrying or feeling overly anxious.
• Feeling moody, irritable or restless.
• Oversleeping, or being unable to sleep even when her baby is asleep.
• Having trouble concentrating, remembering details and making decisions.
• Experiencing anger or rage.
• Losing interest in activities that are usually enjoyable.
• Suffering from physical aches and pains, including frequent headaches, stomach problems and muscle pain.
• Eating too little or too much.
• Withdrawing from or avoiding friends and family.
• Having trouble bonding or forming an emotional attachment with her baby.
• Persistently doubting her ability to care for her baby.
• Thinking about harming herself or her baby.
Only a healthcare professional can diagnose a woman with postpartum depression. Because symptoms of this condition are broad and may vary between women, a healthcare provider can help a woman figure out whether the symptoms she is feeling are due to postpartum depression or something else. A woman who experiences any of these symptoms should seek medical help right away.
Some women are at greater risk for developing postpartum depression because they have one or more risk factors, such as:
• Symptoms of depression during or after a previous pregnancy.
• Previous experience with depression or bipolar disorder at another time in her life.
• A family member who has been diagnosed with depression or other mental illness.
• A stressful life event during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth, such as job loss, death of a loved one, domestic violence, or personal illness.
• Medical complications during childbirth, including premature delivery or having a baby with medical problems.
• Mixed feelings about the pregnancy, whether it was planned or unplanned
• A lack of strong emotional support from her spouse, partner, family, or friends
• Alcohol or other drug abuse problems.

Postpartum depression can affect any woman regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or economic status.

In marking its first year in Government, the PNM yesterday sent out a listing of its achievements, including the resumption of work on what was considered as T&T’s biggest “white elephant,” the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. The cost of repairs to the stadium had been estimated at $90 million. An estimated $800 million was already spent to construct it. 

Construction on the Brian Lara Stadium began in May 2005 with an initial cost estimate of $275 million. The stadium, which has a capacity of 17,000, was to be completed before the hosting of the Cricket World Cup in 2007 but was hit with multiple delays and cost overruns. 

Yesterday’s listing was despatched by PNM’s general secretary Ashton Ford.

However, it contained an obvious mistake where it listed three blunders made by the former administration, the United National Congress (UNC) as PNM achievements.

They were: Shutdown of Special Anti-Crime Unit (SAUTT); insulted Jamaicans (ATM slur) and insulted St Lucians in despair when in hurricane they were told that in order to get aid from T&T they must agree to buy from us.

Those three were listed as 35, 36 and 37 under PNM Government Achievements after one year and also listed as the last three points in the comparison listing to the UNC blunders after their first year.

Achievements
PNM Government achievements after one year:

1. Smaller Cabinet size from 33 to 23 members. 
2. Decreased perception of corruption evidenced by CPI. 
3. Dialogue and consultation in 
decision-making. 
4. Local Government reform embarked upon (Policy Document).
5. Successfully brought the overdraft facility from negative $9 billion to zero.
6. Resumption of ongoing projects, viz Brian Lara Stadium, NAPA etc, despite financial constraints. 
7. Completion of cycling velodrome. 
8. Completion of aquatic centre. 
9. Completion of tennis centre.
10. Rationalise fiscal expenditure.
11. Timeframe set out for minimising Budget deficit and returning to balanced budget.
12. Inflation subdued at 2.1 per cent core and 3.5 per cent headline at April.
13. Outfitting and occupancy of Government buildings to reduce rental fees. 
14. VAT reduction decreased to 12.5 per cent.
15. Personal allowance increased to $72,000.
16. Phased reduction of fuel subsidy and savings of $340 million.
17. OJT stipends increased by 20 per cent.
18. Removal for fees for persons over 60 years old for drivers’ permits and passports.
19. Gate reviewed to ensure savings and efficiency. 
20. Legislative Agenda for 2015-2020 prepared and published. 
21. Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Properties Amt Bill passed paving the way for implementation. 
22. Simplified process of selecting Police Commissioner. 
23. Enforcement of speed limit; noticeable decline in road fatalities. 
24. Firm action to reduce violence in schools; decline in school violence.
25. National Tripartite Advisory Council established, paving the way for greater consultation.
26. National Statistical Institute of T&T being established. 
27. Landmark Paris Agreement on climate change signed.
28. Co-operation agreements signed with Ghana in oil and gas. 
29. Opportunities created to expand trade into Venezuela. 
30. State visit to Jamaica to avert a potential foreign relations crisis. 
31. Cut out wastage in the delivery of food cards.
32. Improved working relationship with Tobago House of Assembly (THA).
33. Commenced the housing programme under the HDC.
34. Paid Caroni workers outstanding money.
35. Shutdown of Special Anti-Crime Unit (SAUTT).
36. Insulted Jamaicans (ATM machines slur).
37. Insulted St Lucians in despair when in hurricane they were told that in order to get aid from T&T they must agree to buy from us.

Following is a post which Charlotte Young Sing, the sister of Abigail Ragobar, posted on Facebook yesterday as Ragobar lay in a coma at hospital after a 40-foot fall at her Tobago home. Ragobar, who was said to be suffering from postpartum syndrome, died yesterday having never regained consciousess. 

Monday the 5th of September at 5.45 am, my role model and older sister, Abby, fell 40 feet from the third story of her Tobago house. 

Words cannot describe what it was like finding her body nestled in a lemon tree, but after saying the “Our Father” out loud God gave me the strength to pull her out while her husband and my mom stood at my side holding up the branches of thorns. 

The perks of being a mom is tangible beautiful kids that love us unconditionally but what many people don't tell you is that postpartum depression is real and its side effects can be devastating and its symptoms can be easily missed. 

Anyone who knows Abby knows that she lives for her children; Portia and new-born Raphael and would never do anything to hurt herself or the ones she loves but her disillusioned state left her vulnerable to danger. 

And the loss of both her grandfather in-law and grandfather in the past few months made us take her symptoms to be grief. But God is good and life is full of second chances and we are praying for a miracle. 

She is currently in critical condition and fighting for her life. Yesterday, as I attended my grandfather's funeral I prayed for him to send help for Abby and shortly after Kelly and Anna walked into the hospital like two angels bearing the ring of the late Archbishop beloved Fr Anthony Pantin, their uncle, who is currently being petitioned to be canonised as a saint.

I immediately heard the conversation grandpa and I had several times before ringing in my ears upon seeing them “Charlotte if you live to see it tell me about it, but mark my words if anyone is going to be canonised as a saint it’s Fr Pantin, that man was a living saint.”

 I knew immediately grandpa sent them for Abby. Upon greeting Kelly and Anna Pantin, they informed me that their uncle needs three proven miracles to be canonised and that they had a feeling that Abby could be his first (proven) miracle.

 Using Fr Pantin’s ring, myself, my parents, my four sisters and two of Abby's childhood best friends went in the room two at a time and prayed over each part of her body, repeating each time a prayer that came to my sister Jo “God Heal Abby. God Save Abby. God restore Abby.” 

Immediately after, before walking out the room, myself and my sister, Melanie, asked Abby “Abby, if you are going to make it through this move a body part” (she is currently past the point of a coma medically). 

She didn’t respond... We followed “that’s ok we’re not taking that as a no Abby, just move a part of your body for someone to see.” We exited the hospital room and less than 30 seconds later my dad and sister Lizzy were at her side and within seconds Abby moved her head on her own. The nurse gasped “that’s unnatural.” 

My other sister Jo and mom then entered the room and prayed to St Raphael and Fr Pantin to heal Abby. Upon their exit Abby’s husband, Chris, went to her side and Abby moved her head again two more times. 

Lord, we find comfort in these powerful signs and we count all of our blessings at this time. Lord we are infinitely grateful for the legions of people joined in relentless prayer over the past two days ... Some of which we do not even know personally. 

To all praying, we are deeply moved and overwhelmed with humility and thankfulness for your prayers. They do not go unnoticed. Lord we ask that above all, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven and that whatsoever you choose we remain committed to you. 

We ask especially that Fr Anthony Pantin be raised up by all the angels and saints and that his good deeds will be recognised. We pray for a miracle but above all we pray for his canonisation. His presence and the prayers of everyone around us have given the strength to make it through another day and for that we are eternally grateful. 

We ask that when praying for Abby your rosaries and prayers are offered up for the canonisation of Fr Anthony Pantin and WE ASK YOU TO KINDLY REPEAT THIS PRAYER: LORD HAVE MERCY ON ABBY. LORD HEAL HER. LORD SAVE HER. LORD RESTORE HER. LORD IF YOU SO CHOOSE TO HEAL ABBY SHE INDEED WILL BE HEALED. WE ASK THESE PRAYERS THROUGH  ST RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, ST BENEDICT, ST PHILOMENA AND ALL THE ANGELS AND SAINTS. AMEN. 

We love you Abby and may God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference. God continue to guide us.

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST IF Abby has touched your life personally, if Fr Pantin has touched your life and you are praying for his canonisation, if you or someone you love has suffered from postpartum depression, if you’re a mother, if you’re a disciple of God, if this story has touched you, if prayer has gotten you through a hard time before, if you are a Trini anywhere around the world. 

We hope that by sharing this post that we are able to make others more aware of postpartum depression and that awareness will save lives.

Through God good things happen with good people for a greater good. Lord have mercy on Abby. Lord heal her. Lord save her. Lord restore her. Lord, if you so choose to heal Abby she indeed will be healed. 

We ask these prayers through St Raphael the Archangel, St Benedict, St Philomena and all the Angels and Saints. Amen.

Former energy minister Conrad Enill says Marlene Mc Donald can be reappointed to the Cabinet now even before the Integrity Commission completes its investigation.

The commission is investigating a complaint against her filed by Fixin’ T&T which alleged she breached parliamentary rules when she hired her common-law spouse and his brother to work in her constituency office during the tenth parliamentary term at salaries above $10,000 each. 

Parliament pays the expenses of constituency offices and its rules forbid the hiring of relatives. 

However, Enill said yesterday there was a basic principle that someone was considered innocent until proven guilty and Mc Donald was not found guilty of anything as the probe was incomplete. He said in those circumstances , the former minister could be reappointed to the Cabinet. She was fired in March, six months after being given the portfolio. 

But Enill said Mc Donald had not gone anywhere as she remained a serving MP for Port-of-Spain South. He said Mc Donald has “talent and is a manager. She does have skills, expertise and experience.”

He said the Prime Minister required all the resources available to him to advance the country as it was not easy to get others to enter the government system for various reasons, including that it was not attractive and also because of the requirements by the Integrity Commission. 

He insisted that the PM should not have such talent “within the system not doing anything to help with the agenda you have to advance the country.”

Last weekend Dr Rowley claimed the commission was dragging its feet on that matter. The commission denied the allegation. Enill said Mc Donald's matter must be handled in the appropriate way, adding: “You can't be judge, jury and executioner in a matter of that nature.” 

He said it was up to the Integrity Commission to deal with the matter “and they will decide at the end of the day what the sanctions are for the crime.”

However, he insisted: “Until then I think you should use the resources that you have to make T&T a better place.”

Questioned about the wider Cabinet changes, Enill said the population had expressed the need for more from at least three Cabinet Ministers: Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh and National Security Minister Edmund Dillon.

He added when most of the ministers were appointed they did not have the required experience and had to learn on the job, adding mistakes were made. 

He said the Ministry of Works and Local Government had some similar responsibilities and could be realigned. 

“He (PM Rowley) may decide he wants to realign Local Government with Works and he would have to find somebody with the required experience to carry that portfolio,” Enill added.

He said the need to realign would be done for more efficient and effective governance.

Admitting that he was not able to say which minister was weak in the Government, Enill said the “population has singled out a number of ministries  where they believe the minister should have communicated better.”

Rowley has said the changes could be announced after the presentation of the 2016/17 national budget in the coming weeks. 

Two Government ministers yesterday spoke highly of sacked housing minister Marlene Mc Donald, who is set to make a return when Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley reshuffles his Cabinet next month. The ministers heaped praises on Mc Donald, stating she was a valued member of the PNM and as an MP.

Their comments came following yesterday’s front page article in the T&T Guardian which reported that Mc Donald was tipped to return to Cabinet. Yesterday, Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis admitted she read the article, stating it was merely speculation. The article stated that Mc Donald was likely to return to the Cabinet as Minister of Works.

However, Robinson-Regis said she was not the one who removed Mc Donald from Cabinet. 

“So if she comes back it is certainly within the purview of the Prime Minister and Miss Mc Donald continues to be a valued member of the People’s National Movement. 

“She continues to be a deputy political leader and she continues to be a valued member of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago,” she added. 

In March, Mc Donald, the MP for Port-of-Spain South, was fired as housing minister by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. She was replaced by Randall Mitchell. Asked if ministers performed well in the last year and if she was in agreement with the reshuffle by the PM, Robinson-Regis said:

“With regard to being in agreement or not in agreement, I did not help the Prime Minister choose the Cabinet. It is totally within the Prime Minister’s purview if he would like to reshuffle his Cabinet.

“I think it is in the purview of any Prime Minister or president to make adjustments to their Cabinet. Whether I agree or disagree with it really does not matter. He (Rowley) is the one who determined who got the portfolio in the first place.”

Told about Mc Donald’s likely return, Mitchell said he was not one to speculate but stated that Mc Donald was “part of the team. She has been faced with some challenges and we pray that she overcomes those challenges and she becomes a more frontline member.” 

Allegations
Mc Donald’s ministerial appointment was revoked following three sets of allegations against her. The last claim involved alleged breach of parliamentary rules based on allegations that her common-law spouse, Michael Carew, was hired among 13 members of her constituency office over the last term.

It was further alleged that Carew’s brother, Lennox, also worked at Mc Donald’s Port-of-Spain South office at one period during the last term and both men commanded high salaries of over $10,000. The matter has been sent by the Fixin’ T&T group to the police and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for investigation. 

While trying to save her mother from an attack on Wednesday morning, 13-year-old Sydney Heeralal was chopped on both hands and received cuts to her left ear. The child received 19 stitches for her injuries but she survived the attack. Her mother, Terisha Heeralal, was not so fortunate. 

Heeralal, 31, was hacked to death by her common-law husband at her Piparo home around 1 am on Wednesday. The couple had been in an on-and-off relationship for several years. 

The incident took place at the two-storey wooden house Heeralal shared with Sydney, a Standard Five student of the Piparo Presbyterian School and the man. Heeralal also has a 15-year-old son who lives with his father. 

The T&T Guardian visited the home of Heeralal’s parents in Dindial Settlement, Piparo, yesterday where Sydney recounted how she tried to save her mother’s life.

“I tried to stop him. He was chopping Mommy and he was not stopping," she said. “I told him to stop doing it... but he didn’t and when she fall down he came and chopped me too,” she said.

Cradling her injured left hand, Sydney continued: “I was screaming and I started to run away and when I looked back, he went back to where she fall down and was chopping her again.”

Heeralal’s family will have to await the results of an autopsy to find out how many times she was chopped. An emotional Sydney said the argument started over her mother’s cellphone.

“She was checking her Facebook and he slapped the phone out of her hand and it landed downstairs. She went to pick up the pieces and they started to argue.

The couple, she said, argued for about half-an- hour before the man threw the phone’s battery outside again. 

“She went downstairs again for the battery and he went behind her... that is when I saw him take out the cutlass from his car and start chopping her with it,” she recalled.

While the teen said the man and her mother often argued, she said she had never seen him in such a rage before.

“Even when they used to argue, he was always nice to me... that night he was saying ‘Look your mother throw water on me’ and he was laughing, cause she was just coming out of the bathroom.”

After being chopped, Sydney ran a short distance to a neighbor’s home where the police were contacted. 

However, when the officers arrived, the man was nowhere to be found. His silver Nissan Almera was still parked beneath the house, leading police to believe he had fled on foot.  

Inspector Persad, Sgt Hosein and Cpls Ramoutar and Mendoza of the Region Three Homicide Division visited the scene.

Cpl Mendoza is continuing investigations. 
 
Mother: We tried  to warn her

Grappling to come to terms with the death of their youngest child, Dipchand Heeralal and Taramatie Bridgelal could not hold back their tears yesterday as they recalled warning their daughter to get out from the abusive relationship. 

“When he hit her, she came and told me and I tell her to go to the police but I don’t think she ever listened,” Bridgelal said. 

Heeralal said: “He was a jealous kind of fella. I told her to leave him out cause he was not doing anything good for her... but it is only so much we could have talked.” Heeralal said he and his wife had encouraged Terisha to sell doubles to take care of herself and her children.

“He didn’t take care of her or give her money but he stopped her from selling the doubles. She only sell for about two months before he stopped her. He didn’t like her going anywhere or talking to anybody.”

Heeralal said police have offered counseling for his granddaughter, Sydney, who witnessed the incident.

Tiffany George, sister of drowned victim Javel James, 23, yesterday believes the lifeguards on duty at Maracas Bay could have done more in an attempt to save her brother. She was making reference to a video that was posted on the social media site Facebook. 

That video showed James’ seeming lifeless body was taken out of the water and placed on a body board. The video also showed lifeguards lifting him and placing him on another body board and running with it to a lifeguard ambulance.

The video which had over 130,000 views had many comments in which viewers argued the point that no one there did CPR on James in an attempt to resuscitate him. However, lifeguards who were on duty on Sunday claimed that a doctor was on the beach.

But speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, George said  the video showed a lot.

“They told us they did CPR but when we looked at the video we didn’t see anything like that. They told us a hospital ambulance came for him but we saw in the video that they put him in a lifeguard ambulance which would have taken him to the hospital.

“We heard that a doctor was on the beach but we didn’t see that in the video,” she added.

George said the family, stricken with grief, were at a point where they did not know what to believe anymore. She also said the family was still waiting to speak to the person from the hiking group, Hikers Inc, which took James to the area on Sunday to come forward and speak with them.

“All we want is closure. That is all Javel’s mother, Julianna, is asking for,” George said.

President of the Lifeguards Branch, Augustus Sylvester, said yesterday there was a doctor available on the beach.

“Based on what I understand when they used the board to put him on the ambulance there was a doctor who was on land. There was no need for the lifeguards to do anything there,” he said.

Sylvester said he did not know who the doctor was. He said it was unfortunate as James had been bathing in waist-high water when the incident occurred.

“But the others saw him (James) being dragged out with the current and the lifeguards ran in as well,” he added.

Sylvester said the water was sandy and dirty and the lifeguards had two feet of visibility which was a problem.

“So it was hard to locate him,” he said. He said in light of the numerous drownings every year several citizens have the opportunity to learn to swim. He added there were several programmes, from water babies to competitive swimming, offered at several facilities in T&T.

A week after mother of one, Denise Martin, was shot in the head, she remains warded at the San Fernando General Hospital on life support. And while police have not arrested anyone in relation to the incident sources say they are now probing a domestic violence link in the attack. 

Denise and her boyfriend Shamsudeen Mohammed were both shot in the attack. Denise’s brother, Gary Martin said the family was praying that his sister would live. 

“She is in the same condition as when she first went into the hospital, she is still on life support and she has not made any progress so far,” Martin said. 

Denise, 28, and Mohammed, 31, were sitting on Mohammed’s porch at his Standard Road, Fyzabad home around 2 am last Thursday when two men jumped over the fence and entered the property. One of the men attacked Mohammed and a struggle ensued. 

Mohammed was shot three times, while Denise, of Otaheite, South Oropouche was shot in the head and chest.

Martin said his family felt like the matter was not being given priority by police. Police said that while there were allegations of a threat being made, there was no evidence to make an arrest.

“We believe that by now they should know who did it, they have the information, I can’t understand why after all this time no one has been arrested.” He said Denise’s daughter, eight-year-old Denisha, remains traumatised over the incident.

“She is very traumatised and we are trying to help her cope right now because the doctors say they can’t operate yet on Denise, so we don’t know.”

Martin said Denisha has resumed school as his parents are trying to keep her in a routine. Mohammed’s father, Rambarran Ramjattan said his son was in stable condition at hospital, although a bullet remained lodged in his leg.

“They haven’t operated on him yet but he is in good condition,” Ramjattan said. 

Another woman shot in the face
Meanwhile, police are hoping Diana Alexander, who was shot in the face in Pleasantville last Saturday will be able to give them a lead in their investigation. 

The T&T Guardian understands that a domestic violence angle is also being probed but officers will have to wait until 21-year-old Alexander can speak to them. Alexander is listed in critical condition at the San Fernando General Hospital. 

A La Romaine man who was shot by police after he allegedly attacked them with a shovel was not of sound mind. This information was contained in a report sent to the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court by doctors who assessed and treated Peter Rampersad at St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital over the past month.

As a result, Rampersad was granted $5,000 cash bail to cover the seven charges but on the condition he joined the La Romaine Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic before the end of the week.

The 28-year-old man was remanded to the psychiatric hospital on the request of his attorney Annalee Girwar when he first appeared in court. The charges stemmed from an incident on July 21 when the police responded to a report at his Pond Street home.

The charges, laid by PC Nanan, alleged he assaulted PC Mendoz, committed common assault on WPC Rajkumar and resisted her in the execution of her duties. Rampersad was also charged with assaulting his father Quintin Rampersad and damaging his father’s car and house. 

It was also alleged Peter Rampersad used obscene language. One of the police officers was injured when a bullet ricocheted off of the shovel and struck him.

Prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said based on the report from St Ann’s he would have to seek directions from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on how to proceed with the matters. 

Rampersad’s father, who was in court, said his son was acting like a “madman” at the time of the incident and all he wanted was to get him some help.

The magistrate warned Rampersad if he failed to join the clinic his bail would be revoked. 

The Family Court of Trinidad and Tobago has admitted to a staff shortage that has been causing major inconveniences to those who need it most, single mothers seeking to take care of their children.

The problem is making it difficult for people to access easily and make maintenance payments at the institution and, by extension, putting single mothers in particular, who represent the bulk of their clients, to access payments to take care of their children.

In a statement to the T&T Guardian yesterday, the Judiciary noted that it is currently “working to address the staffing issues within the Accounting Unit affecting the cash collection and/or disbursement operations at the court.”

 The current staff quota, it added, “does not adequately and consistently meet our clients’ needs.”

With the recent start of the new school term this week, the problem has hit home hard with single mothers and fathers who have been struggling to access maintenance support. Slow and untimely disbursement of the funds last month caused hiccups for some parents as they prepared their children for school this term.

Two mothers told the T&T Guardian the month of August was a very busy time at the court, with parents flocking to collect payments to facilitate back-to-school shopping.

Bernadette Garcia-Collins, a 51-year-old mother, has been collecting maintenance at the courts for over nine years. However, she said since April this year it has become an extremely challenging process to access the facility at the court.

“You have to go in as early as 5 am, pull a number and the guard does only give out like 50. Sometimes you not even sure to get through that day and you have to go back. I sometimes go two to three days in a row... you running to the court and not getting through.”

Garcia-Collins recalls seeing people “cry down the place” after not getting service or funds. She has even gave a woman she felt sorry for money once.

“Some does be crying, they don’t even have money to go back home after travelling to the court expecting to get their money.”

A sign at the court, she said, clearly stated the Accounts Department opens from 8 am-3 pm, “but they does close just after lunch plenty times. By 1 pm the Accounts Department close off. I find if they doing that they need to announce it over the radio or something, instead of having people come down there wasting time and money.”

The Barataria woman said she finally collected money last Thursday after going in on Tuesday and Wednesday with no success. 

“A lot of people still haven’t gotten through with money for books and uniform. It have people taking time off work and the line does be bending the corner just to pay or collect maintenance.”

Garcia-Collins is used to going once a month to collect her payments but has recently been going three or four times a month. She complained about the accounts staff at the institution as well.

“Them workers does be taking their time... always on their cellphone, What’sApp and thing. Sometimes you reach 10 am and you leave after 3 pm, after the court close.”

A 37-year-old single mother of two, who agreed to speak with the T&T Guardian under condition of anonymity, said she went to collect her money three times in the last two weeks but was unsuccessful. She said with school opening this week, she instead had to borrow money to buy books and shoes. 

“For others I’m sure it’s worse,” she said.

“I went on Wednesday 24th August  but was turned away by the security guard who asked if I was here to go to accounts. I said yes, and he told me no one turned out that day. A lady in line said it was the same situation the day before. 

“On Thursday September 1st I was told the Accounts Department closed early. The very next day when I returned the guard told me accounts was closed for the day.”

The St Augustine-based mother complained: “Some travel from all over to come to the court to collect money last week and had no success. We’re losing money from work, to travel and still we’re not able to meet the needs of our children for back-to-school because of this?”

With a seven-year-old daughter, the woman said it had been a “major inconvenience” having lost so much time and money already.

Short-term measures

In its statement yesterday, the Judiciary said it had installed both short and medium-term measures aimed at addressing deficiencies in the system.

The short-term measures include seeking the approval of the Government to increase the staff complement assigned to the unit and training additional officers who already work within the Judiciary to perform the duties and provide support to the existing staff until additional permanent officers can be engaged.

Residents of New Village, Point Fortin, have been forced to scamper inside their homes for cover over the past six weeks, as swarms of locust have been devastating their community.

Thousands of the large insects again plagued the community yesterday, shredding trees down to their branches and leaving farmers with almost nothing to take to the market. The community, also known as Striker’s Village, is also home to a Servol Life Centre.

Farmer Kelvin Harper told the T&T Guardian yesterday’s attack was the worst and other residents reported being bitten by the locusts. Harper, who plants citrus, eggplant, cabbage and lettuce, said the attack had left him with nothing to sell. He said if not for his auto-mechanic skills he would starve.

“We have never experienced this before and they are coming rapidly, more and more everyday for the past six weeks. It is especially bad for my leafy vegetables, because sometimes when they come in the night by the morning you are left with nothing,” Harper said.

Wayne Nathaniel said he called the media when residents complained that the Ministry of Agriculture failed to conduct eradication exercises in the community. He said locusts were targeting anything they could feed on, with some people saying even they were attacked.

The Ministry of Agriculture sprayed the area last month but residents said only a few died and the population has now increased. Over in Mora Village, large swarms have also been reported and because spraying occurred there it is believed the locusts fled to other areas.

Point Fortin mayor Clyde Paul said after learning of the infestation he contacted the Ministry of Agriculture’s sub-office in Point Fortin, who assured him that they were dealing with the problem. He said the ministry sprayed Mora Village yesterday and was scheduled to visit New Village today. He assured it was not a public health issue as the insect did not cause disease but attacked foliage.

Locust invasions are becoming an annual occurrence in Trinidad, as there were reports of a small swarm attacking foliage in Moruga community some months ago. Locust sighitings are more common in Chatham, with eradication exercises being done in June, 2015, when the ministry equipped a backhoe with a Jatco spray to eradicate hundreds of them. There were also invasions there in 2010, 2013 and 2014. 

The desert locust, which has been reported in the Caribbean since 1988, is a common sight but the species found yesterday resembled the red locust, with its red hind wing, and is usually found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is usually attracted to moist environments such as floodplains but are mostly nomadic during the dry season. While pesticides are used to eradicate locusts, some species are vulnerable to grasshopper bait, garlic spray and cilantro. Some farmers have also tried dusting their crops with all-purpose flour.

Anyone with locust problems in the Point Fortin area can contact the Ministry of Agriculture’s officer at 648-1426.

Secretary of the Association of Psychiatrists of T&T (APTT), Dr Varma Deyalsingh, says women who suffer from postpartum depression (PPD) can get over it if the symptoms are recognised early and they have a good family support system in place. 

PPD, he said, was a feeling of depression in a woman after birth and it might occur soon after delivery, usually the first three months of delivery, and up to one year after delivery and occurs in 10 to 20 per cent of women.

Deyalsingh said symptoms of depression should be discussed with family members and family doctor to determine its severity and ways and means of managing it. He also said the risk of recurrence was higher following pregnancy.

Symptoms include tearfulness, feeling sad and hopeless, feeling restless and moody, difficulty in focusing and making decisions, feeling worthless and guilty, loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed, withdrawing from family and friends, sleeping too little or too much, fatigue, change of appetite, suicidal thoughts, impaired concentration, feeling of inadequacy as a mother, negative thoughts of baby and fears of harming an infant. There are physical symptoms such as headaches, chest pain, palpitations and dizziness.

Deyalsingh said sometimes it was not recognised by the patient but by the partner or relative. He said a patient might feel ashamed or guilty about these feelings and the doctor should always forewarn the patient about PPD so the patient could approach the doctor with less anticipation.

He related a case where a mother had to be separated from her infant because she tried to harm him thinking the devil had impregnated her and she needed to rid the world of this creature. 

The patient, he said, was employed as an accountant and had a promising career before childbirth. He said she never fully recovered and was now an out patient of St Ann’s Hospital.

Deyalsingh said her child was well taken care of by her family, who to this day cannot understand how their perfectly sane daughter, after giving birth, could turn into a “mental case.”

Pupils of the Newtown Boys’ RC School are said to be sitting on a time bomb due to an electrical problem at the institution. 

As such, the school’s Parents Teachers’ Association yesterday notified parents that as of Monday, school would end at 12 noon until the electrical issues were addressed.

A member of the school’s PTA told CNC3 last night that during routine servicing of air conditioning units and replacement of light fixtures over the July/August vacation, burnt out parts and wiring were found, four refrigerators were non-functional, parts of the school lost electrical supply and three of six air conditioning units were damaged, possibly due to an electrical fire. Most of the fans were not working.

The member said in 2011 the school was reported to have been in the  need of an electrical upgrade.

“Every year to date letters have been sent requesting same but never given priority,” the PTA member said.

In late 2015, the school tried to raise its own funds to upgrade the electrical system and install air conditioning units in each classroom. 

On April 13, the school was visited by a T&TEC technician as part of a routine check requested by the Ministry of Education for schools used as exam centres, the PTA member said. 

The technician is said to have found that one of the two main phase cables that supplied the school was “burning.” The technician said that was a major hazard and as such recommended an immediate disconnection of the electricity supply to the school.

In subsequent follow-ups, an Education Facilities Company Limited official visited the school several times since April 18 to look at the problem and an OSHA representative also visited on April 19. On April 27, an inspection was carried out by the T&T Fire Services.

“All necessary personnel have been contacted, their reports were handed in, contractors have tendered their quotes but to date work to repair the electrical issue has not been started. Sources tell us that the report hasn’t even left the permanent secretary’s desk ,which we understand has to be put on the agenda at cabinet to be approved,” the PTA member said.

“The executive has a responsibility to ensure the safety and welfare of the students and we have been extremely patient with the protocols and procedures to get things done,” the member added.

The school has a population of 518 students, 24 teachers, four cleaners, three café attendants and two security guards.

The executive of the PTA, which has raised $122,000 to help with the rehabilitation work, said they have tried to contact the permanent secretary with no luck.

Efforts to reach Education Minister Anthony Garcia yesterday for comment were unsuccessful.

As the family of Abigail Ragobar continue to mourn her passing and news of her story circulated yesterday, questions arose about what led to her death.

Her family has attributed her untimely demise to postpartum depression (PPD) and the days leading up to her death and her struggle with the syndrome have been retold by her sister Charlotte Young Sing.

The young mother of two, including a newborn, fell 40-feet from the balcony of a Tobago house where her family was vacationing on September 5. She succumbed to her injuries at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, on Wednesday.

As many citizens read of her struggle with the syndrome via the T&T Guardian yesterday, citizens everywhere were reminded that there are provisions by employers and various organisations to assist them during times of personal and professional distress.

But while many private companies have Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to help employees who may be encountering such problems, a public sector and national programme seems to be lacking.

Senior public officials yesterday confirmed to the T&T Guardian that the public service had an EAP “in theory alone.” Speaking on condition of anonymity, they said Government approved an EAP in 2004 for public servants but it was not officially launched until 2010 under former minister Kennedy Swaratsingh. However, they claimed the programme was currently non-functional.

Admitting there was “some level of service available dependent on the ministry,” the employees explained some ministries were offering individual services but could not say what it included. 

Pressed to say what the delay was in introducing one general EAP across the public service, sources replied: “The CPO’s office is like the Bermuda Triangle, when things get there it just gets lost and there is no accountability.”

The office of the Chief Personnel Officer was originally mandated to enforce the EAP but had not acted on it during the last five years due to “administrative setbacks,” the T&T Guardian was told

Contacted on the issue yesterday, Public Administration and Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie said each ministry had different ways of treating an issue like postpartum syndrome. He said the Social Development and Gender Affairs Ministries offered a range of services to the public which could also be accessed by workers needing such services.

This was confirmed by sources at the Education Ministry, who said a service was offered to employees who were experiencing such issues and needed counselling and advice.

Like many private employers, Guardian Media Limited also has an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) in place to provide assistance to people who may be experiencing emotional, mental and/or psychological distress.

GML officials yesterday confirmed the company’s EAP included counselling along with other provisions recommended by officials, which would be based on the employee’s assessment.

The assessment, which can be done either through self-referral or via a supervisor, focusses on the employee’s medical report as well as their psychiatric and psychological evaluation. 

The official said anything impacting a worker’s performance while on the job would be reason enough for that person to be referred to the EAP and could include issues stemming from the home environment.

What is EAP

An EAP is a work-based intervention programme designed to identify and assist employees in resolving personal problems, including marital, financial or emotional problems; family issues and substance/alcohol abuse that may be adversely affecting the employee's performance.

This is typically a service provided by an employer to the employees and is designed to assist employees in getting help for these problems so that they may remain on the job and continue to be effective.

According to online information, the EAP originally focussed on drug and alcohol addiction, with an emphasis on rehabilitating valued employees rather than terminating them for their substance abuse problems. 

Over the years, the EAP has been expanded to include not only mental health and substance abuse issues but also general health, wellness and work/life concerns.

It is believed that an EAP could result in various benefits for employers, including lower medical costs, reduced staff turnover/absenteeism and higher employee productivity.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says sacked housing and urban development minister Marlene Mc Donald should be reinstated as a Cabinet minister if she is cleared of allegations of wrongdoing by the Integrity Commission.

He confirmed that during yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister,  St Clair.

Asked if he could put to rest speculation of the inclusion of Mc Donald as part of a soon to be remodelled Cabinet, Rowley said bluntly: “No!”

Asked if his one word answer was an indication of the possibility of her return, Rowley said: “That depends on what happens in the future.”

It was an obvious reference to the incomplete investigations being conducted by the Integrity Commission into allegations filed against her by the group Fixin’ T&T. Rowley said he did not have a crystal ball and there were developments to take place in the future but in the meantime “we just have to get on with our jobs and see what happens.”

Asked again if Mc Donald could be included in the remodelled Cabinet, Rowley said the former minister’s “conduct was called into question and she was removed from the Cabinet awaiting an adjudication on the allegations made against her.”

He said he was aware if that could take place within the next month, adding if she was subsequently made to answer a charge that would be another consideration.

Rowley said if her innocence was proven and found not to have committed a crime “then she has every right to be re-instated to her (Cabinet) position and to function without the allegations over her head.”

He repeated a claim made last weekend that the completion of those investigations “takes too long and it will be really unfair if because their future is dependent on the conclusion of the inquiry, that, like the Las Alturas enquiry, they can let the clock run out and five years can pass and we had no determination.”

He said his claim was not only related to Mc Donald but all others which seem to be never-ending in this country.

Rowley said that development was “an indication of the perpetuation of the ongoing failure of some of our key institutions.”

He said those institutions included the police and the Integrity Commission.

Asked if the Government was considering amendments to the law governing the Integrity Commission, Rowley said that was not before the Government at this time.

He said: “What was before us is we have allegations which require to be dispensed with. We have people under investigation... investigations ought to be done with dispatch.”

Mc Donald was removed from the Cabinet six months after she was appointed in September last year for allegedly breaching parliamentary rules when she hired her common-law spouse and his brother to work in her Port-of-Spain South constituency office at salaries in excess of $10,000 each.

It allegedly took place during the 10th Parliament which ended last year. 

Mc Donald is a deputy political leader of the PNM. 

The Integrity Commission is still to complete its probe on the matter.

Rowley told reporters to ask Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre questions during the post Cabinet briefing as she may not be here tomorrow.

She is among the ministers being speculated for realignment. Another is Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh.

$24.5 million! That’s what the Las Alturas Commission of Enquiry (CoE) has so far cost, yet the former PP administration which had the requirement to go after the contractor for the failed towers project “flatly and deliberately” refused to, says Prime Minister Keith Rowley.

He said the document did not identify any individual for criminal conduct in the project.

“With respect to criminal liability, no sufficient (insufficient) evidence was led before the commission to indicate criminal liability, the report said.

“I also find it curious the board and management who hired the contractors to build the Las Alturas Towers and those responsible for the HDC board took no action and allowed the legal opportunity to expire,” Rowley added yesterday when he revealed the executive summary of the CoE report.

He said the CoE was an absolute and colossal waste of time and money.” The report will be laid in Parliament today.

He added: “The summary makes no mention of me, makes no mention of Al-Rawi, (who was an HDC board member at the time).” 

Rowley maintained that when it was commissioned under the former PP Government it was intended to be a witch-hunt against him and then Opposition Senator Faris Al-Rawi.

The Prime Minister said the CoE “was doomed to fail, to produce nothing useful, fatten lawyers.” 

He also stressed the only option available to the Government (in 2011) was to seek refunds from the contractor, China Jiangsu International Corporation, within the four-year period ending September 2015.

He said the Prime Minister’s office had to pay the $24.5 million CoE cost and in addition, Udecott and the Housing Development Corporation would have paid another large “number of millions to lawyers to appear and participate in this charade,”

Most importantly, he said, was if there was a failure, the contractors had liability and under the terms of the contract and the HDC and Government had had an avenue and a duty to hold the contractor liable for what wasn’t delivered and any shortcomings. 

But he said the same government which caused the CoE to be done, “studiously refused to go after the contractors.”

Rowley said the PNM in Opposition had urged the PP to go after the contractors and it was the duty of the then Government and board to do so but nothing was done.  

He said he could not understand why the opportunity—involving the statute of limitations—was allowed to run out. He said the PP had a right to go after the contractor,  which built the Debe Campus under that administration, but they refused to.

According to Rowley, the report said the directors of the HDC and Udecott boards and management failed to “ensure there was full and timely disclosure (about problems), not only to the line minister but the Minister of Finance.”  

The report further stated that “from evidence it is clear that certain entities, by their action or inaction, created a situation which caused the Government to expend more money on the project than was anticipated.

Rowley said the towers were “built and failed when the government changed,” when PP’s Roodal Moonilal was Housing Minister.

On Moonilal’s recent comments about him being PNM housing minister, Rowley warned Moonilal to “stop calling” his name, adding Moonilal said “things hoping you don’t understand the truth.”

Rowley rebutted Moonilal’s concerns on the project about former HDC managing director (now Udecott chairman) Noel Garcia. He said the report didn’t identify anyone concerning criminal conduct.

Moonilal had called on Government to release the report, “in furtherance of its mantra of commitment to transparency and accountability.” 

Moonilal said full disclosure was necessary since Rowley and Garcia were in national posts now. 

“T&T must learn what guided the then-PNM to expend previous national resources on unstable land, an exhausted quarry, for which there were no construction approvals,” he said.

On why the PP hadn’t tried to recoup the costs from the contractors before the statute of limitations expired, Moonilal said:

“Dr Rowley is going against the CoE chairman’s statement that the towers were a tragedy and scandal. It was a failed project when we inherited it. Several technical reports had to be done before legal action could be taken. The timeline for legal action against parties ran out. 

“And the PNM held back reports and did nothing until 2010 but the CoE can still find findings of fault for which civil action can be taken. 

“Politically Dr Rowley is accountable as the minister. He’s trying to escape accountability and protect certain people.”

He asked: “He wants to hold me accountable? Not a brick was laid under my tenure. Is he saying we should have taken action against him? 

“This project is his sordid legacy. He’s politically accountable for $80 million (towers cost). Under his housing stewardship, this occurred.

Relatives of the man suspected of killing Terisha Heeralal say his actions came as a complete shock as hours before chopping Heeralal to death, the ‘happy’ couple visited their home.

In an interview yesterday, the man’s brother said the couple came to their home in south Trinidad on Tuesday evening and were laughing and happy at the time.

Heeralal, 31, was chopped to death at her Piparo home by a male relative around 1 am on Wednesday. A relative was also chopped on the left hand by the man who then ran into a bushy area behind the house. 

“They came here the same evening, they said they came to collect a duck to make a cook. 

“They were both drinking that evening and moving like normal, laughing, making jokes... nobody expected this from him,” the brother said.

However, he said the family feared the man may harm himself, as there have been rumours circulating since the incident.

“We heard there was an empty poison bottle on the scene and we have been asking the police to help us look for him but they are refusing. We have been going to the area trying to find him but we have not been able to yet,” the brother added.

He said he visited the Princes Town Police Station but was met with scorn when he asked for assistance.

“The officer told me ‘Boy, if that was my brother, I didn’t ever want to see he face again,’ but we just want some closure. We want to know where he is and to be able to do the last rites for him if he did commit suicide,” he said.

He said the police did not seem interested in finding his brother. 

“We know what he did was wrong but why they don’t go looking for him? What are they waiting for? For him to walk in the station?” he asked.

He said while Heeralal and his brother sometimes had arguments, the pair were planning to move to England by next year.

“He was in the process of renewing his passport so they could move to England. They were planning to take his two children and her two children. I don’t know how it reached so far. I really don’t understand.”

“I think he did it. He wouldn’t want to go in jail and sit down. He got locked up in August for drinking and driving and had to spend the night in the cell. He swear up and down that he couldn’t make it in jail. So I believe he would have drank the poison,” the brother said.

Contacted yesterday, an investigator in the matter said the police manhunt for the suspect is still ongoing. The investigator declined to comment further.

Leon Samuel, whose bullet-riddled body was found at the side of the road yesterday afternoon, fought for his life to the bitter end as he was found grasping at blades of grass.

According to police, Samuel, 33, whose last address was at Balthazar Street, Tunapuna, was found around 1 pm by passersby along the Caroni South Bank Road. Police said Samuel was shot six times, four in the head and twice in the chest. 

Investigators said they believe Samuel was alive at the side of the road and may have struggled with his killer/s and in a desperate attempt to save his life clung to a patch of grass. 

Speaking with the T&T Guardian at her Tunapuna home, a female relative of Samuel said she had just returned to the country and that his father was due to leave last night to attend a memorial for his deceased mother. 

The woman added that Samuel was an avid traveller who moved out of the home a few years ago. 

Police believe the killing was not as a result of robbery but due to some illegal activities that Samuel may have been involved in. 

They added that they could not say what exactly it was but given the number of times he was shot and the fact that some valuables were found on him, Samuel was most likely to be involved in something nefarious that ultimately led to his death.

In another discovery yesterday, officers of the Northern Division were called to the scene of a fully charred remains of a human found in a pile of rubbish off the Caura Royal Road. 

The body was so badly burnt that only the skull and parts of the person’s rib cage were found. 

Police said they received a call around 10 am that the skeletal remains had been found, reportedly by villagers. 

When the T&T Guardian visited the scene, the remains were nestled in some burn debris behind a mountain of dirt, off the road way with no houses for miles. 

The entrance to the site was also blocked by a large boulder. Police say only DNA match and dental records will be able to confirm the identity.