Village mourns Joash’s death

ON learning that their missing friend and playmate, 13-year-old Joash Pantin, had been found dead, many children living in Cashew Gardens, Carlsen Field, Chaguanas, cried. The tragic news even brought some adults to tears. Villagers described Pantin, a form one student of Trinity College, as a "sweet bread" in his home town.

“Joash was loved by everyone in the village. He was such a well brought up young man, so very polite. And the children in the community loved him so much. He did not have much to give but he did, he shared his snacks with the younger children,” said one emotional neighbour, as she consoled her daughter in her arms.

Wiping her tears, she continued, “You know there are children who would never say good morning or nothing. Not Joash, he would always stop to tell you ‘Good morning, good evening and good night. He was brought up well by his grandmother,”

The child lived with his grandmother. His mother, the villagers said lived in the area and often came to visit him. “What can I say about this boy? He was a sweet bread, one of the nicest little boys I ever knew, so very humble and polite. Look, my pores are raising as I am speaking to you, oh gosh, no!” the woman said.

Another villager said she still cannot believe the tragic news. “I am a mother, so I know. This boy did not deserve this. I just don’t understand why. This is what is baffling what could this boy do to have deserve this?”

Pantin, she said, was often seen skating throughout the village or playing cricket with other children. “I told my son what happened and he has not stopped crying. The children are hurt, they loved Joash. Everyone loved Joash.”

Pantin was last seen on Saturday at about 7.30 pm and was reported missing by his mother and grandmother. Police found his decomposing body at about 6 pm on Monday in the bush about 200 metres from his home. One man remains in custody.