Ex-State witness found dead

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 26-year-old Ryan La Fon, whose body was found at the side of the road in Tableland Thursday night. La Fon, alias “Ding Ding,” was a key witness in the 1999 Commission of Inquiry into the escape of convicted drug dealer Deochand Ramdhanie from the Princes Town Magistrates’ Court. He had testified of having seen Ramdhanie being allowed to leave the holding bay cell of the courthouse.

La Fon was one of 26 prisoners, including Ramdhanie, who were brought to Princes Town Magistrates’ Court on September 17, 1998 — the day Ramdhanie made his escape from the court. La Fon’s body was found around 7.30 pm, but police said a preliminary examination revealed that his body bore no marks of violence. Police investigators have not ruled out foul play and are pursuing various leads to ascertain why La Fon lay dead at the side of the road. An autopsy performed on the body, however, revealed that he died from an illness known as sickle cell anaemia. 

La Fon was employed on a pineapple field in the district and lived with his brother Larry in a small wooden house at Mantacool Road, George Village, Tableland. La Fon’s sister, Coleen, told Newsday that when her brother was last seen around 5.30 pm on Thursday, he was wearing sneakers, but when his body was found, there were no shoes on his feet. She said her brother used cocaine and marijuana. A party of officers from the Tableland and Princes Town Police Stations, led by Supt Joseph Nathaniel, visited the scene. Acting Sgt Ramkhelawan of the Tableland Police Station is continuing investigations.