Cause of death: Suffocation

A TATTOO on Amy Leslie James’ upper left thigh was what relatives, on Monday, used to identify her decomposing body at the Forensic Science Centre (FSC) in St James. Her body was found on Saturday in a track in Santa Cruz.

An autopsy determined that the 19-year-old mother of two died from asphyxiation. Homicide detectives are now working on the theory that the plastic bag which was found over her head may have been used to snuff her life out.

Shocked and distraught relatives told Newsday that the tattoo – a heart with a man’s name, which was surrounded with flowers – was the only way they could identify James because of the advanced state of decomposition.

“Her face was unrecognisable,” said a friend.
“I couldn’t believe that it was my friend I was looking at.”

James’ friend told Newsday that she, James’ mother Akim Veronica James, and another friend of the family went into the autopsy room to identify the body. She said as soon as Akim saw the body, she ran out of the room screaming and crying for her daughter.

According to an earlier report, some hunters were walking along a track in the bushes off Santa Barbara Boulevard, when they found the body almost a week after she was reported missing to police. A dress and other items were found nearby.

Newsday was told that relatives who left her at her father’s home in Curepe with her two children, came back and realised the children were sleeping in bed, but she was nowhere to be found.

After a day had passed and no one had seen or heard from her, relatives became worried and made a report.