Body found in Mausica River

The unidentified body of a man was discovered under a bridge at Mausica yesterday. The body was wrapped in plastic and placed in crocus bags. According to reports, at around 1 pm, an anonymous caller told the Arima Police Station that the body of a man was under the bridge at the Mausica River. A party of officers, led by Inspector Lester Hutchins and including Sgt Johnny Abraham, Cpls Anthony Jones, Dennis Smith, PC Soohan and WPC Skerrit went to the scene. The victim appeared to have been shot and was wearing a black shirt. Undertakers were unable to remove the body because they were not equipped with the necessary rope and equipment.

The body was not removed until 4 pm yesterday. It was taken to the Forensic Science Centre where an autopsy will be carried out today. Police investigators told Newsday that on Sunday, a Cumuto woman reported her 43-year-old son Keshwar Maraj, missing. She said that he left home last Friday and has not been seen since. Police believe the body found under the bridge could be that of Maraj. The murder rate now stands at 206 victims for the year. For all of 2002, only 172 persons were murdered. Homicide officers are calling on members of the public with information on the unidentified man to contact the police or Crime Stoppers. Sgt Abraham is investigating.