Man hangs himself on Christmas night

HOURS after he promised his nephews he would not kill himself, 37-year-old Soman Rampersad was found dead under a tree with a rope around his neck. The discovery was made around 8.15 am yesterday by police after an anonymous caller to the Penal police station informed them about the body. Relatives told police that Rampersad had been depressed because he was experiencing marital problems.

According to police reports, around 9 am on Christmas day, Rampersad was drinking at the Catwarro Branch Trace, Penal home of his nephews,  Akash and Ajay Mootilal, which is located about two houses away from his house. Under the influence of alcohol, Rampersad reportedly threatened to hang himself. After being “talked out” of it by his nephews, Rampersad left their home promising that he would not kill himself. Around 8.15 am yesterday his body was found under a tree on the side of  the road near his home. Police believed he hanged himself from the tree but the branch broke. Visiting the scene was a party of officers from the Penal CID led by Sgt Jimmy  Palloo and including Cpl Gangaram. Cpl Gangaram is continuing investigations.