Tunapuna man, pet dogs found dead, relative in custody

Relatives of Shahid Samaroo are calling for answers after the 64-year-old was found dead in his bed early Sunday morning.

Two pet dogs belonging to the family were also found dead in the yard of Samaroo's Cactus Street, Macoya Gardens home. Police said a relative found Samaroo's body at around 4 am.

No clear cause of death has been established. Homicide investigators and Tunapuna police visited the house and spoke with several people.

Police have since said a 34-year-old male relative was detained for questioning.

Newsday visited Samaroo's home and spoke to his older sister Hazrah Ramjitsingh, who lived with him up to the time of his death.

Ramjitsingh said she did not know about the circumstances of her brother's death, but recalled hearing a loud commotion in the home during the morning.

She said  she did not take it on, as the relative whom police detained has a history of substance abuse and loud outbursts at the house were common.

"I live here and I know him. But I know if there was any foul play, it would have had to be a random incident as if he lashed out at someone.

"I know him personally and I have nothing to do with him, because he gets rough with me. When it comes to his dogs he is very protective. We're just speculating right now, because that is all we can do," Ramjitsingh said.

Newsday also spoke to Samaroo's younger sister Hasheema Hackshaw, who said another relative told her the dogs belonged to the relative who is in custody. She suspects that relative may have flown into a rage when he discovered his dogs dead.

"I really don't know what happened, but I would like answers as to how my brother end up dead. I need answers as to what happened."

Hackshaw said her brother had diabetes and kept to himself. She described him as a loving person to those who knew him.

An autopsy is expected to be done at the Forensic Sciences Centre in St James on Wednesday. Investigations are continuing.