Cops seek help to ID corpse

AFTER futile searches through missing persons reports, police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the headless corpse found in Piparo on Friday afternoon. A senior police officer admitted to Sunday Newsday: “We are stumped as to who this person was. “We have explored the missing persons files for North and South Trinidad and have even looked into vagrants in the area and we have not been able to come up with anything.”

The skeletal remains, believed to be of a man, were discovered around 3.45 pm behind Camp Ebenezer, a property owned by the Baptist Union at Old Main Road, Piparo. The corpse was headless, but a skull was found some 20 feet away from the remains. The body, clad in brown pants, was either decapitated or the head was removed by corbeaux as they fed on the decomposing remains, police said. Villager Shamshudeen Hosein told policemen he stumbled upon the remains while searching for one of his dogs. He smelled a foul stench and saw a flock of corbeaux hovering overhead. 

The officer added that if within a “reasonable” time the person was not identified, the authorities would proceed with an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death. In their initial investigations, however, policemen noticed a bullet hole in the skull. The remains were removed to the San Fernando Mortuary. Any persons with information which may assist police can contact the Princes Town Police Station at 655-2231. Sgt Errol Ramdath is spearheading investigations.