By VASHTEE ACHIBAR Friday, August 10 2012

Yet another appeal was made yesterday for young people to change their lives, and not let the Devil destroy them. The appeal was made during the funeral service for Adio Julien, 30, whose body was found at the bottom of an agricultural pond off Berridge Trace, South Oropouche last week Thursday.

An autopsy on Julien’s body revealed that his throat was slit, and he was shot in his knee. He was then dragged to the pond which is located a short distance from his home and dumped into the water. Police had to drain the pond to retrieve the body.

One day before he was killed, a close associate visited his mother, and showed her two bullets telling her they were for her son.

Investigators probing the brutal murder have described it as drug-related as the deceased was being blamed for stealing a quantity of drugs from an associate.

In an emotional tribute, at the Dow Open Bible Church, South Oropouche, senior church member Rev Ruby Davis appealed to the young people to change their lives, and not be deceived by the Devil. “ The enemy is trying to make havoc with our sons and daughters . They are being deceived by the enemy. Change your lives young people, turn to God,” she cried . She remembered the deceased as a “good boy,” but advised the congregation, that “God demands much more, he demands righteousness”, she said. She claimed she heard Julien’s voice saying to go, and tell his brethren to change their lives.

In another tearful tribute at the funeral service Julien’s great grandmother, Helen Fernandez recalled how only a few weeks ago they spoke. “He was always so good to me, always greeted me, Ma how you going? Who will take care of me now?” she wailed. She reminisced how Julien grew up in the Open Bible Church, and was even offered up there as a baby.

During the funeral service, Julien’s pregnant girlfriend sat next to his mother, Debra Jeffrey weeping quietly. His father and five other siblings and their children and other close relatives sat nearby.

In her sermon, Pastor Marva Garcia told the congregation, despite the circumstances under which Julien died, “ God is good.” Calling on all the men in the congregation to stand up, she urged them to be good examples, telling them they could make a difference in the society. “Jesus sees you as valuable, you can transform the society”, she preached. Using the parable of the “Prodigal Son” in the Bible, she told them God is waiting for them to repent and change their lives. Julien was cremated at Belgrove’s Funeral Home following the funeral service.

A suspect from South Oropouche , who is reputed to be a boyhood friend of the deceased and who gave himself up to police following the brutal murder was released on Wednesday evening because of insufficient evidence.

South Oropouche CID is continuing investigations.