Cops baffled over death of Grande boy

SANGRE Grande police remain baffled over the death of Jonathan Seenath, 11, who was found dead with the hitch-rope from a hammock tied around his neck on Tuesday night in a bedroom at his home at Maraj Hill, Canapo Village, Coalmine, Sangre Grande. “We are investigating the matter with an open mind,” police said. According to an official police report, Jonathan’s mother Vera Seenath, 31, and his step-father Afraz Ali, 40, put their two younger children — Aquil and Ameer to bed at around 8 pm.  They then left Jonathan doing his homework and went to a neighbour’s house next door.

The couple returned 40 minutes later to find the Sangre Grande Hindu Primary School student barely breathing, with the hitch-rope from a hammock around his neck and his feet dangling off the ground. He was rushed to the Sangre Grande District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. In an earlier statement, it was reported that the Standard Four student was ordered to do his homework but refused and retaliated by tying the rope around his neck and jumping off the hammock.

When Newsday visited the home, bedridden, crying Vera and dazed Afraz were too distraught to speak to the media, but close family sources denied that it was suicide. “It is just one of those freak accidents,” family sources said. The hammock has been seized by police.  DMO Dr Indanosa visited the scene and ordered the body removed to the Mt Hope Medical Sciences Complex mortuary for an autopsy. Post-mortem results confirmed death from asphyxiation consistent with strangulation. Constable Scipio is investigating.