3 suspects held in youth killing

Three suspects, all in their 20s and all of King Street, Buen Intento Village, Princes Town, were yesterday held in connection with the murder of Princes Town teenager Gerry Rooplal. An autopsy on Rooplal’s body by Dr Hughvon des Vignes at the Forensic Science Centre, showed the teenager died as a result of haemorrhaging consistent with multiple chop wounds.

Rooplal was chopped on his head in an apparent attempt to behead him, investigators said. His body was found under a house at Graves Street, near a track which he used as a shortcut to his home. Police suspect a drug link to the killing, but relatives believe Rooplal may have witnessed some illegal activity. The youth will be buried today at St Clement’s Cemetery after a service at his home on King Street, Princes Town at 2 pm.