Relatives of Felicia Persad, whose body was found in the Mitan River last week Friday, said yesterday she would still be alive if only she had been granted a restraining order which she had filed for.
They believe her killing could have been avoided if she were granted a protection order which she had filed for in the Sangre Grande Second Magistrates Court in December 2015, but the matter was adjourned to April 6 (this month) because of the absence of a magistrate. This was four days before her disappearance.
On Tuesday, Constable Felix Persad, of the Sangre Grande CID, identified his sister’s body at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, by the jeans she wore, her denture and hair.
Persad said pathologist Eastlyn McDonald Burris told relatives that because of the advanced state of decomposition, cause of death could not be ascertained. As a result further analysis of the body tissue would have to be done in an effort to arrive at a conclusive finding on how she actually died. McDonald Burris was also unable to say how long the body had been in the Mitan River.
A relative said Felicia had been in an abusive relationship with a man who threatened her several times.
Felicia reported the matter to the Sangre Grande Police Station and was sent to the Sangre Grande Hospital by police for injuries sustained. She received a medical report which was submitted to the investigator who investigated her case. However, according to family members, the threats continued.
She went missing on April 2. Her brother tried contacting her on the phone, but all calls went unanswered.
On April 15, when police were alerted that a body was found in the Mitan River, her relatives who did not go to the scene still believed it was not that of Felicia.
Her body was found by employees of the Forestry Division who were trimming trees at the edge of the Mitan River.
Her legs and arms were bound and a piece of cord was around her neck while her mouth was gagged. A wound was also visible on her abdomen.
The funeral service takes place today at 1 pm at the New Birth Church of God, River Street, Vega De Oropouche, thence to Allen’s Crematorium Eastern Main Road, Guaico, Sangre Grande, at 3.30 pm.