Autopsy shows teen strangled

Two men from south Oropouche are currently assisting police in their investigations into the death of 17-year-old Elias Thomas, who was found dead in the Oropouche Public Cemetery on Wednesday. An autopsy revealed that Thomas was strangled. The autopsy, which was conducted by pathologist Dr Hughvon des Vignes at the Forensic Science Centre, Federation Park, also showed the teenager suffered from internal and external haemorrhaging consistent with a beating. Internal organs were ruptured by the beating and Thomas also suffered blunt force trauma to his head.

The autopsy was witnessed by Thomas’ parents and the lead investigator. Up to late yesterday, police had made no breakthrough in the murder. Police sources told Newsday, it was not yet known if Thomas was sexually assaulted and swabs taken from the body will be tested. The results will be known by next week. Thomas was found dead in the cemetery, by his father Noel, who was on his way home after filing a missing person report on his son on Wednesday morning. The cemetery is walking distance from the Thomas home. Thomas, a Form Five student at Fyzabad Composite, worked part-time at a supermarket in the district and failed to return home from work on Tuesday night. Investigations into the murder are continuing.