Relatives are still hoping for the safe return of missing prison officer Rishi Sankar, saying they believe the police were sent on a wild goose chase looking for his body.
Two brothers caught by the police allegedly claimed they had mixed cement, threw it over his body and dumped it in the Mitan River, Mayaro, before they went on a joyride all over central Trinidad with a female companion.
Despite suggestions that Sankar was killed, the family continues to hope and pray he will be found.
Sankar, 34, of Perseverance Village, Couva, was reported missing by relatives since June 22 and was last seen alive at Stone Road, Piparo. He was assigned to the security section at the Remand Yard at Golden Grove in Arouca.
The two brothers held in connection with his disappearance remained in police custody yesterday. The suspects allegedly confessed to “beating and shooting” the prison officer and dumping his body in the river. Police believe robbery was the motive, as one of the suspects was caught driving Sankar’s car in Chaguanas.
Divers and police have been searching the Mitan River for missing prison officer’s body for days but have been unsuccessful. However, there are conflicting stories, with one saying the body may have been dumped in Toco as well. There are also reports of fresh cement and blood discovered at his house.
In a brief interview yesterday, Sankar’s sister, Indra, said some of the information reported by the media was wrong and her brother is still officially missing.
“He went missing by his house. It is wrong that they were saying he was in a relationship and that is what caused it and that is incorrect. I don’t understand where they got that,” she said.
Indra said neighbours claimed they heard screams of distress coming from Sankar’s house and they found blood in front his house where his vehicle was parked. She said on Tuesday relatives visited the Homicide office in San Fernando where tests on the blood discovered at his house were done.
“I want him to come home and we need to get closure or what they did with him. But they not getting anything, so we don’t know if they (suspects) have them on a wild goose chase,” she said.
Indra said it was unfair, because Sankar was a staunch Muslim and had been fasting at the time of his disappearance.
“He was so much into his religion. What was the purpose of it (abduction)? It must have been planned and we don’t know if he (suspect) is covering up or who is involved in it,” she said.
Indra said Sankar was single and was more focused on his achievements and wasn’t ready for marriage.
“It happen so long and they won’t keep him (the suspects). I am praying and hoping they find him. The family is so tormented and we don’t know what took place,” she said.
Sankar’s colleagues yesterday maintained he was a decent man and it could not have been a “prison thing.”
In the past few years, several prison officers were the targets of the underworld during their line of duty.
If anyone know Sankar's whereabouts contact the nearest police station or 555, 281-3234 or 767-3636.