Child finds skeletal remains in Lambeau, residents call for prayers

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Villagers of Lambeau Tobago are calling for an “intervention” after a minor stumbled across skeletal remains while taking out the garbage.

Describing the village as “heavy” residents said the area needs prayers and counselling after yet another set of human remains were found in the community.

This is the second time this year a body was found in the Lambeau area.

Head of the Tobago Police Division, ACP William Nurse confirmed that the incident occurred at #4 Village Street Lambeau, on Sunday evening.

“Reports indicate that the minor was asked to take out the garbage and in so doing made the gruesome discovery. Those skeletal remains were found, removed and the area was processed and a post mortem examination will be done on the remains,” ACP Nurse explained.

ACP Nurse said the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition and a post-mortem will be subsequently done by Dr Eastlyn McDonald Burris.

“We are hoping that she can tell us the possible cause of death, how long that person might have died and whether we can get the racial origin and gender.”

However, a resident in the area, who asked to remain anonymous, said they believed that the remains were those of a man in his 50s who lived in the area and disappeared.

According to the resident the “clothing and slippers” found close to the remains look exactly like items owned by the missing man.

The resident said this latest discovery has the community shaken and it may be time for spiritual help.

“We living here normal and we never really smelled anything like a dead body and that is very bad because that is hard to miss. Within recent times Lambeau just heavy- with death and sorrow, we need some priests to come in and pray and put some of these wandering souls to rest.”

The resident said Lambeau is developing a bad reputation as being notorious “for finding dead bodies.”

In February, the remains of Lambeau resident, Isiah Thomas was found in some bushes a few days after his grandmother reported him missing.

Police officers reached out to the relatives of the missing resident Kelvin Ballantyne after the remains were discovered.

Guardian Media spoke with Ballantyne’s sister Cindy Noel who currently lives in Trinidad.

“The police did contact me and they said they found a skull and some bones but they could not say if it was him or not. They said they would have to wait on the report from the forensic pathologist.”

Noel said relatives believe that Ballantyne may have been experiencing depression as he was acting strange and withdrawn prior to his disappearance. However, she said while the family would like closure she remains hopeful that he is found alive and well as he was a good person.

Ballantyne who was originally from Trinidad relocated to Tobago over thirty years ago. He was reported missing in May of this year and was last seen leaving his apartment at Old Lambeau Road—a few metres from where the remains were found.

The resident, who spoke with Guardian Media described Ballantyne as well known in the area and friendly.