By Kisean Joseph
& Tahna Weston
Police are carrying out investigations after the partially decomposed body of a male was discovered inside a vehicle at the old Ottos School compound, just off All Saints Road, following a report made around midday yesterday (Feb 2).
The area, which is used as a panyard, was cordoned off with yellow police tape as officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Serious Crimes Unit, and the Forensic Evidence Recovery Unit processed the scene.
Addressing reporters at the scene, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Frankie Thomas confirmed the discovery and said investigations were ongoing.
“What I can share with you and the public at this point in time is that the police are currently on the scene … where the body of a male was found in a vehicle. A partially decomposed body of a male was found in a vehicle. There is not much more I can tell you at this point. However, we continue our investigations,” ASP Thomas said.
Thomas said the police’s immediate priority was identifying the deceased. The public was urged to assist, particularly anyone who may have a missing relative.
“I just want to use this opportunity to appeal to members of the public, especially relatives who may have not seen their loved one over a period of time. If there is anyone who has anyone that is missing at this point in time, now is the time for you to come forward and contact the Criminal Investigations Department, 462-3913 or 462-3914, or any police station for that matter, to share that information.
“It will help us, first and foremost, to identify the individual, and then we’ll be in a better position to know where we go from there,” Thomas said.
Police also appealed for anyone with information related to the matter to come forward.
Investigators said the report was received through the 911 emergency hotline, and officers responded immediately to secure the scene.
Thomas remained tight-lipped on certain details, including which part of the vehicle—described as appearing to be a jeep—the body was found.
“…And I just hope that we, at the end of the day, we will have some more information to share with you, but as it stands, this is where we are at this point. I am not at liberty to disclose that information.
“I just want you to understand that the police are currently on the scene. When they finish and conclude the investigation, we’ll be in a better position to share with the public any further information or update that is necessary, more so to identify the body and to assist us further in our investigations,” the ASP said.
A district medical doctor was present to pronounce the body dead and provide an official time of death, as investigations continue.
Investigators were observed wearing masks and hazmat suits while conducting examinations.
A young student told reporters he had been on the compound up to Saturday, January 31, and did not notice any strange activity or foul odour. His mother, who said she had also been on the compound, stated that she did not observe or smell anything unusual.
