Murdered businessman died from asphyxia

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Days after he was found dead, wrapped in plastic and stuffed under a sofa, an autopsy has shown that businessman Anand Maharaj died from asphyxia.

The autopsy was done on Tuesday by forensic pathologist Dr Eslyn McDonald-Burris at the Forensic Science Centre in Port-of-Spain. It revealed that death was due to asphyxia caused by the blocking of Maharaj’s airways.

The 60-year-old businessman, of Jeffers Lane, Charles Street, Gasparillo, was the owner of Triple-A Auto Services Ltd.

Police said he left home around 1 pm on Saturday to deliver a Nissan Note car to a client at San Fabien Road, Gasparillo. He also planned to purchase $20,000 in US currency from the same client.

However, Maharaj never returned home and calls to his phone went unanswered.

After receiving a report from his relative, officers from the Gasparillo Police Station led by Sgt Ishmael went to the client’s home and questioned him. The client claimed that Maharaj delivered the car and then left in another vehicle.

Officers returned with a search warrant and later found Maharaj’s body wrapped in clear plastic and bonded with duct tape, hidden under a couch.

A 23-year-old suspect has since been arrested. Acting Cpl Bynoe of Homicide Region 3 is continuing inquiries.