[UPDATED] Burnt body found in car in Tobago

THE BURNT BODY of a woman was discovered in a car along the Claude Noel Highway, Tobago, on March 26.

Dead is Deborah Gopaul, 58, of John Gorman Trace, Crown Point. She was said to have been an employee of Jade Distributors Ltd, Canaan.

Reports are that around 9.20 pm, Guard and Emergency Branch officers were on mobile patrol along the highway when, on reaching the Welcome to Canaan/Bon Accord sign, they saw a black Mazda 323 car on fire while parked on the southern side of the highway, facing east.

The Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services was contacted and a team, led by Divisional Fire Officer Jacob, responded and extinguished the fire.

On checking the car, police said, the partially burnt body of a woman of East Indian descent was seen slumped and motionless in the right front seat.

The DMO later visited the scene, viewed the body and ordered its removal to the mortuary of the Scarborough General Hospital.

A neighbour told Newsday that Gopaul lived with her father near the end of the street.

“But he died some years ago and they had a little mini-mart there,” she said.

Another remembered her as being a helpful employee at Jade Distributors.

“She was always quiet, helpful and approachable in the few times I dealt with her.”

Tobago Hindu Society president Pulwaty Beepath said she was shocked by the news.

“This is real shocking news that I cannot get over right now. Our hardworking Ms Debbie Gopaul, we will miss you. I had the pleasure of working with her,” Beepath said in a post on Facebook.

PC Wharwood of Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region One (Tobago), is conducting enquiries.

This story has been updated to include additional details. See original story below.

THE BURNT BODY of a woman was discovered in a car on the Claude Noel Highway, Tobago, on March 26.

The body has been identified as that of Debra Gopaul, of Crown Point.

Reports are that around 10pm, police and officers from the Scarborough Fire Station responded to a call about a burning car along the highway, near to the Welcome to Canaan/Bon Accord sign.

Police are investigating.