Father of 10 killed

A 15-year-old boy is now in police custody for the murder of Rajdeo Ramlochan, a father of 10 from Felicity in Central Trinidad. The young man, who went into hiding after the killing, surrendered to Chaguanas police shortly after 6 am yesterday and was immediately handed over to the officers of the homicide bureau. According to police reports the man’s head was bashed by a stone and piece of iron, both of which have been seized by the police. Ramlochan’s death followed allegations by various persons that he had broken into a family business. He denied this and reportedly put the blame on the teenaged boy after which a heated argument ensued.

A second argument followed around 1.30 am yesterday morning during which the boy allegedly struck Ramlochan on his head with a stone. Reports said Ramlochan died on the spot. Ramlochan’s death has left his Felicity home in upheaval as his wife and 10 children are not sure of what will happen in the future since he was the sole breadwinner. Sandra Ramlochan told Sunday Newsday it was very difficult to even contemplate how she would make ends meet. She said she did not even know how she was going to raise money to bury her husband and launched an appeal to the public for “any kind of help.” Ramlochan’s murder brings the murder tally for the year to 120 - compared with the same period last year when 116 persons were murdered.

An autopsy will be carried out on Monday to determine the cause of death, after which the Director of Public Prosecutions, Geoffrey Henderson will then be consulted. According to reports, Ramlochan, 44, was killed following a heated argument with a relative. Reports revealed that on Thursday afternoon Elizabeth Cowie, Ramlochan’s sister, secured her parlour at Union Village, Felicity and went away. She returned on Friday afternoon and discovered the parlour broken into. Ramlochan told Cowie that a young man had broken into her place. Officers of the Chaguanas CID were alerted and a party of officers led by Ag Sgt Ajith Persad, and including  Cpl Baljit Salick, PCs Kirk Sheppard and Marlon Alexander went to the scene along with District Medical Officer Dr Vishnu Geelal. Officers of the homicide bureau visited the scene and seized a blood-stained stone and a piece of iron.