The decomposed body found wrapped in a rug and dumped in a river on Sunday has been confirmed to be that of Isabella “Jasmine” Joseph who was last seen alive last Tuesday.
Relatives of Joseph were at first in denial at the Forensic Science Centre, St James when approached by the T&T Guardian.
The relatives said when they saw the woman’s body on Sunday they could not confirm the identity.
After viewing the pair of black slippers and blue jeans on the corpse her identity was confirmed.
Joseph, 21, left her Cunupia home on August 23 and never returned. She was reported missing when she failed to return at home.
According to police, shortly after 10.30 am, residents of Penn Trace, Enterprise, Chaguanas, contacted police after they noticed the woman’s body wrapped in a rug on the river bank near a bridge.
When Homicide detectives arrived on the scene they noticed a hand protruding from the rolled up rug and called in fire officers for help.
Police believe her body was dumped higher up the river and drifted downstream. It became entangled with debris along the watercourse.
On Joseph’s Facebook page, it noted that she was a budding chef as she was studying culinary arts and worked at Pink Print Fashion. Some of her friends posted tributes to her.
One of her friends wrote: “Almost every night we would either WhatsApp, PM (private message), call or Facebook messenger and talk with each other. You really always would say ‘Kim girl I trying to do better girl, I tryin. Girl and this is what happen. Rest now love for we surely will meet again.
“U hit me hard because I meant every word when I told u, you are my blood. I wish ppl were lying and this news were so false but even now as my eyes are bubbling now as I’m typing girl, I loved you like a sister. RIP baby girl.”
Another woman posted: “Sometimes I wonder if we’re actually living in hell with all these imps walking around but then my God assures me that they all will be wiped off the earth soon so I’m not afraid. I trust and believe in his word everybody has to die but shouldn’t be in the manner how these demons are killing people let others live and die naturally but no they allow greed, jealousy, petty grievances and hate to consume them. R.I.P Bella girl such a sweetheart. God isn’t sleeping and I know you’re in a better place.”
Shot man dies
In an unrelated incident, a 28-year-old Barataria man who was shot last week died on Saturday at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.
Christopher Augustus, of Seventh Avenue, Malick, Barataria was shot on August 20, police said. Augustus’ death took the murder toll to 321 for the year compared to 302 for the same period last year.
Information surrounding Augustus’ shooting remained unclear. Police said Augustus was with a group of friends when he was shot. Police could not give a motive for his shooting as they said he was not known to be involved in any criminal activity.