Schneider died from smoke inhalation

The autopsy carried out on the body of kidnap victim Damien Schneider revealed that death was due to smoke inhalation.

Police believe that an attempt was made to burn Schneider alive which resulted in his death. The autopsy yesterday was carried out at the Forensic Science Centre by Dr Hughvon des Vignes and witnessed by Sgt Keith Sylvester. The autopsy revealed that Schneider may have been killed last week. Investigators claimed that Schneider’s body may have first been dumped after he died, but on Tuesday night, his body was placed in the tray of a truck and transported to Waterloo Road, Carapichaima where it was dumped in a drain. Police officers found tyres and diesel close to the body.

Police investigators told Newsday that they will consult with Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson today to decide if any charges of murder can be laid against the suspects. Two men charged with Schneider’s kidnapping were granted bail in the sum of $200,000 when they appeared before a Port-of-Spain magistrate yesterday. Yesterday, relatives of Schneider told Newsday that they are still in a state of shock and grief over his death. Marina Schneider, the mother of the victim, was told the dreaded news of the death of her son late Wednesday.