Monday, March 18 2013

The “Jane Doe” found buried in the sand at Manzanilla beach on Saturday by three fishermen has been tentatively identified as “Yasmin of San Juan”.

a caller from San Juan who did not gave her name told police that the description given by police and carried in Newsday fits her neighbour’s description who she only knows as Yasmin.

The caller further told police that she is the mother of two children and she did not see her for a few days.

The Investigating officer said persons who called from Penal and San Juan wanted to visit the Sangre Grande Police Station to identify the body, however, they were advised not to as it was impossible to open the bag in which the body was placed and stored at the Sangre Grande mortuary, “as this will be tampering with their investigation”.

Both callers were further advised to turn up at the Forensic Science Centre, St James today where an autopsy will be performed.

The anonymous caller from San Juan told police the deceased was last seen dressed in a long sleeved blue and white jersey when she left the house and has since not returned to her San Juan home.

Police reported at about 7.30 am on Saturday three men were fishing along the Manzanilla beach in the vicinity of the “Cut-Away” when they were attracted by the barking of three dogs.

The fishermen believed the dogs were barking at them and began to pelt the dogs, but the dogs returned and continued barking. The fishermen told police when they looked around for the third time they saw the dogs pulling and biting at something. as the men got closer they saw a human hand sticking out from the sand and the dogs were nibbling at the hand.

One of the fishermen took out his cellphone and called the police.

A party of police officers led by ASPs Neville Sankar and John Trim, Ag Insp Kenneth Rampersad, Cpls Keith, Ricky Boodsingh , Dindial Joseph and PCs Phillip, Ramdial, Khan responded to the scene.

Police on arrival at Manzanilla saw the human hand sticking out of the sand, while the rest of the body was buried.

Police immediately cordoned off the crime scene area while investigators carried out searches for clues. The body of the woman which was dug out by homicide officers and whom police believe could be in her 40s was found with her body slightly tilted on the side with face looking upward.

She was clad in a blue and while long sleeved jersey, blue underwear and blue jeans which was found pulled downwards to her heels.Police also discovered a gold chain with pendant on her neck and black sandals on her feet.

The officers could not say if there were any marks of violence as the body was swollen and decomposing.

District Medical Officer, Dr Orlando Prince viewed the body and ordered its removal to Sangre Grande District Hospital mortuary.