Slain man's funeral on Tuesday in Cedros

The funeral for slain plant operator, Ryan Johnitty, is set for Tuesday at his parents’ home at Bamboo Village in Cedros.

The 33-year-old victim, who last lived alone at Dow Village in South Oropouche, was the only child of his parents.

His bereaved father Vincent spoke briefly with Newsday on Sunday when he said the body would be taken to the family’s home at Mc Donald Trace.

Johnitty, worked at Trinidad Generation Unlimited, at Vessigny Village, La Brea. He was not married and had no children.

On Tuesday at about 7 pm, his parents found his body in his house, with a plastic bag over his head and a belt and black cord around his neck.

His home was ransacked and his car, a white Kia Optima Sedan was missing.

The next day, Southern Division police, after getting a tip-off and found the car abandoned at Dolly Street, Marabella.

An autopsy at the Forensic Science Centre in St James found he died from ligature strangulation.

On Saturday night, a representative from the Cedros Pentecostal Church officiated in a wake service at the family’s Cedros home.

The short service was live-streamed and shared on social media.

The pastor said Johnitty violently left this earth, making it harder for family and friends to cope with the death.

"It is not that he died, but the manner in which it happened. Death is something we (humans) have to face, one way or the other. Death is something we will never grow accustomed to," he said.

"We are not exempted from these things (trials and tribulations), because we know God. But God gives us peace in the midst of the storm. It is a peace that only God can give.

He urged listeners to enjoy life.

"We only have one life to live, enjoy it. Let us stop worrying about things we cannot control."

He said people use drugs, believing they can ease pain in dealing with problems. He encouraged people to turn to Jesus, who gives a peace that drugs cannot give.

The pastor also shared a story that recalled someone saying the devil could swim in response to a man who wanted to drown his troubles with alcohol.

Homicide Bureau Region III police have not yet arrested anyone in connection with the murder.

On Thursday evening, the head of the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), Supt Roger Alexander, called on the public for information to help solve the murder.

He spoke on the television crime programme, Beyond the Tape, which he co-hosts.

Alexander referred to Johnitty as a man in his prime and a good Samaritan who helped many people affected by the pandemic by distributing hampers.

From what he was told, Alexander said Johnitty had a good heart, meaning he was generous.

People with information can call 999, 555, the nearest police station, or Homicide police at 652-0495.

People can also WhatApp the Police Commissioner at 482- GARY, or call Crime Stoppers at 800- TIPS (8477).