Body of missing man found floating in river

A search for a 33-year-old handy man who went missing Friday, ended yesterday when his body was found floating at Three Mouth river in Penal, near a popular picnic site. While relatives believe that Krishendath Ramkhalawan may have committed suicide, the police are awaiting the results of an autopsy tomorrow before ruling out foul play. According to brother Sookdeo, “He does drink plenty and when he drink we believe he gets suicidal. He threaten to kill himself already.”

Sookdeo said Ramkhalawan ate breakfast and left home around 10 am. The family believed he had gone to work, but got worried when he did not return later that day. Sookdeo said his brother-in-law, Chattergoon Rampersad, went in search of him by the river after someone said they saw him riding his bicycle in that direction. However, all Rampersad found were his slippers and bicycle. After making a report to the Penal CID, relatives searched along the river banks but did not find him. They continued the search yesterday morning and found him floating some 500 feet further downstream shortly before noon.

Ramkhalawan, who could not read or write, lived with his mother and brother at Tulsa Trace, Penal. Sookdeo said his mother was too distraught to speak with the media. This is the second tragedy that struck the family within a year — last year their father passed away. Visiting the scene was a party of policemen, including Ag Insps Sieunarine and Wells, PCs Aliand Haynes. DMO Dr Bhim Singh viewed the body and ordered its removal to the Forensic Sciences Centre, Port-of-Spain.