Woman among 3 bodies found

Up to late yesterday, the identity of the woman could not be determined due to the advanced state of decomposition.

However, police do not believe this to be Sookdeo as the body’s left foot bore a tattoo while relatives stated that the missing mother of two has no tattoos.

Sookdeo, 34, of Raghoo Village, Debe was abducted after she dropped off her two children, Elana, nine, and Tores, five, at the Picton Presbyterian Primary School. She has not been heard or seen since. No ransom demand has ever been made.

According to police reports at about 9 am yesterday, farmers tending to their crop of peas detected a foul odour and on investigating, came across the body which was lying between several pigeon peas trees.

Reports are that the body was found in close proximity to the Bunsee Trace Mud Volcano. Officers from Penal CID, Homicide Investigations Bureau (Region III) and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit visited and cordoned off the area.

The body was later removed to the Forensic Science Centre in St James for autopsy. Speaking to reporters at his Philippines, San Fernando home yesterday, Sookdeo’s father Frankie Rajkumar, 64, said he was aware of the discovery of a decomposing body, but added it was not his daughter. “I believe my daughter is alive and I am trusting in God, He would send her home,” Rajkumar said.

“Mr Minister of National Security sir, you have the power to send your forces outside there to find my daughter. Sir, I know you may have children and you may have daughters and if something like this would have happened to you, you would be feeling how I am feeling today. I beg you from the bottom of my heart, sir. She is my only daughter and I love her,” Rajkumar said as he wiped away tears.

Meanwhile, police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two bodies which were discovered in separate incidents in St Joseph and Las Cuevas between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The first body was found in St Joseph on Tuesday night. According to reports, residents of Coconut Drive, heard several gunshots at 11 pm. When residents checked, they discovered the body of a man in drain at the side of the road. Up to press time, no positive ID was made.

The second body was discovered early yesterday morning at a dirt track in Las Cuevas.

Newsday understands the body was first discovered by a resident on Wednesday evening, who thought it was a drunk man who was sleeping at the side of the road. But 12 hours later, the man came out on the roadway and saw the same man on the ground in the same position.

When he attempted to wake the individual, the villager realised the man was dead and there were wounds and a foul odour from the corpse. A report was made to police and Superintendent Sagramsingh, Superintendent Adams, ASP Ramkhelawan, Sgt Taylor and Sgt Stanisclaus of North Eastern Division visited the scene.