RALPH BANWARIE
Wrapped up in a piece of curtain cloth, the battered body of grocery delivery man Adam Jotis was discovered floating in the Atlantic Ocean early yesterday.
Jotis, 25, who worked at Persad’s Supermarket, at Guayaguayare Road, Mayaro, was spotted around 7.30 am, floating in the choppy waters off Mayaro beach by villagers yesterday.
A source said villagers became concerned after they saw a piece of blue plastic bobbing in the water but upon closer inspection saw Jotis’ body attached to it.
A call was made to the Mayaro Police and PC’s Tybo, Racha and Rampersad responded, braving the high tide to retrieve the body.
Police said Jotis worked as a delivery man for Persad’s Supermarket and several of his colleagues went to Beaumont Beach to see his body.
It was clad in a blue three-quarter pants. Police said Jotis’s feet were tied up with blue cloth, believed to be house curtain.
His eyes were swollen and there appeared to be marks on his neck, officers said.
Two years ago, Jotis’s two-bedroom house was destroyed by a fire. He blamed the Fire Service for arriving late and began agitating for the opening of the Mayaro Fire Station.
A manager at Persad’s Supermarket confirmed to T&T Guardian that Jotis worked at the supermarket and at times at the owner’s beach resort on Guayaguayare Road.
Describing Jotis as an honest, reliable and responsible employee, the source said: “We had so much confidence and trusted Jotis in that we allowed him to stay in one of our beach houses. It was very unfortunate to hear about his untimely death and we will miss a good worker,” the source said.
One of Jotis’s friends and co-workers said only Thursday he came back to the supermarket after making deliveries to collect his salary and was very jovial.
His last words to him were: “Today is pay, I am happy.”
Jotis did not report for work yesterday.
Ag Insp Juri of Mayaro Police is continuing with inquiries.
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