Autopsy inconclusive

AN autopsy on the body of 13-year-old Joash Pantin was inconclusive, owing to the advanced state of decomposition, relatives said yesterday. Pantin, who was reported missing on Saturday night, was found dead on Monday night, in a bushy area a few metres from his Cashew Gardens, Longdenville home.

Speaking with Newsday at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, Pantin's mother Chimelle James described her son as a quiet, intelligent young man who volunteered his afternoons at a homework centre in the community to help teach other children how to read.

She said Friday would have been his 14th birthday, and lamented how unsafe TT has become. "I don't think there is anything left to do to protect our children any more. You can't lock them away, they will want to come out and explore. But it's so dangerous."

James also challenged earlier reports that her son died from an asthma attack. She confirmed he did suffer from cardio-related asthma, but did not believe it caused his death. She also confirmed that a male suspect in police custody was known to the family and says she spoke to him hours before her son disappeared.

Pantin's great-uncle Hayden Wilson said he did not understand why anyone would want to harm his great-nephew, and while there was a dispute between his elder sister and a neighbour years ago, he did not believe this was a motive for the boy's abduction and possible killing. Pantin, a form one student of Trinity College East, will be buried on his birthday on Friday.