Cops say it may be Chootoo

The burnt and decomposed body of a man was discovered in a drain at Orange Field Road, Carapichaima, around 9.30 am yesterday.

Police believe that the body may be that of Darryl Chootoo, who was kidnapped from his El Socorro home about three weeks ago. A ransom was demanded for his safe return, but relatives claimed that they were not in possession of any money to pay a ransom. Two suspects in the kidnapping were detained by the police and gave statements that they shot Chootoo and then dumped his body in Caroni. Police investigators told Newsday that they are working on a theory that the body of Chootoo, which may have been dumped at Caroni, was removed from that scene and transported to Carapichaima. They also believed that tyres were placed around the body and diesel poured on the bloated body in an attempt to burn the corpse. Police investigators discovered tyres and, diesel fuel close to the body. They also believe that an open tray van was used to transport the body.

Senior officers claimed that a jersey was used to cover the face of the murder victim and his hands appeared to have been tied. The body was clad in a blue jeans and a shirt. Maggotts were seen crawling over the decomposed body of the victim. Investigators will use dental records, the clothing and whatever prints they could find to trace the identity of the body found. The body was viewed by District Medical Officer Dr Vishnu Geelal who ordered its removal  to the Forensic Science Centre. A party of officers led by Snr Supt Philip Carmona, and including ASP Anthony Bernard, Sgts Sylvester, Burke, Ag Sgt Ajith Persad, and PCs Ramsook, Alexander,  Edward Ali and others went to the scene and carried out inquiries. Cpl Cudjoe of the Crime Scene Unit removed bits of evidence from the scene. Marlon Rampersad, a relative of kidnap victim Darryl Chootoo was allowed to view the body, but he claimed that due to the state of decomposition he could not identify the body. Sgt Sylvester of the Freeport Police Station is investigating.