Bloated body fished out of Rio Claro pond

THE bloated body of a man who was fished out of a pond in Rio Claro on Sunday, has been identified as Oliver Charles.

Charles, 34, of Rambarath Trace, Navet Village, Rio Claro, is believed to have drowned while intoxicated.

While there were no visible signs of injury on the body, and police believe the death may have been accidental based on enquiries thus far, an autopsy has been ordered.

Around noon on Sunday, Dianand Satnarine, 62, of Navet Village, Rio Claro, reported to the police that he observed a body floating in a pond next to his camp.

A party of officers led by WPC Farrier responded and observed the body which appeared to be in an early state of decomposition in a pond on the eastern side of a 22×60 feet concrete and galvanise structure.

With assistance from undertakers, the body of a man of African descent, clad in a blue T-shirt, gray short pants, and multi-coloured boxer shorts, was removed.

The body was viewed by district medical officer (DMO) Dr Baxton who pronounced Charles dead and ordered its removal pending a post-mortem examination.

The scene was processed by CSI WPC Jordan-Kirk. The body was identified by Charles’ sister, Fiola Charles, 42, who is a security officer, of Biche.

Charles was last seen alive around 10 pm on Friday and appeared to be in an intoxicated state at that time.

PC Rasawaion is continuing investigations.

Meanwhile police are still trying to identify the body of a woman found lying face down along the shoreline off Food Crop Road beach, Point Fortin, last Friday night.

The body was clad in a black bra and what appeared to be a black cloth covering the back.

The body was viewed by DMO Dr Sara Ramjit and ordered removed to the mortuary of the San Fernando General Hospital, pending a post mortem.