Relatives of four men who were murdered were told to return to the Forensic Science Centre (FSC) today to have autopsies done because the pathologist on duty had an emergency.
Not only would funeral arrangements now be delayed for murder victims—Krishna Maharaj, Richard Durity, Indranath Harrylal and Malcolm Dookie—so, too, would homicide investigations.
Their relatives were told to return today because pathologist Dr Eslyn McDonald-Burris had an emergency. The nature of the emergency was not disclosed.
Harrylal was scheduled to be buried today.
Funeral agencies told the T&T Guardian that the bodies of some of the victims were never brought to the FSC because there was not enough room to house them even if they arrived on time.
Relatives of the deceased men, whose killings have pushed the murder toll to 340 for the year, 17 more than the same period last year, made no fuss over the inconvenience.
Speaking with the media yesterday, relatives of Durity, 28, of Oropouche Road, Valencia, whose decomposing body was found down a precipice on Monday, said they just wanted closure. Durity’s body was identified by the tattoos of his son’s name on his chest and neck.
One relative of Durity said his killing was a shock to the family since he was not the type of person that was confrontational or involved in anything that would warrant his killing. The woman said that Durity “had a mouth” and would speak his mind.
Police reports are that they received a tip that Durity’s body was found down the precipice at Cumaca Village, Valencia, around 5 pm on Monday. Relatives said on Monday night they received a call from officers of the Valencia Police Station telling them they found a decomposing body matching Durity’s description. He was hog-tied.
Meanwhile, the relatives of 50-year-old Harrylal said he turned away from a life of drugs to focus on supporting his family. Police reports are that Harrylal was plying his Nissan Almera for hire along Thomas Street, Tunapuna, around 5 pm Monday, when a passenger shot him in the head and neck before escaping. The gunman did not rob Harrylal and police suspect his death was a hit. Why he was targeted, however, remained a mystery to investigators up to yesterday.
Harrylal, the father of a teenage girl, lived at St Cecelia Street, Tunapuna, and worked at the Forestry Division as a labourer. He was also a pan player with Exodus Steel Orchestra.
One relative said, “He change up his life from off the drugs, was not a violent person, never had any run-ins with the law. Somebody just snuff out his life. He was a cool fella. When he done work in the ministry he would come and pull bull (work as a PH taxi driver). I wish they find these killers and bring them to justice. If you want to be a hero come face to face with the man and shoot him not behind the back.”