Second suspect held in Ashanti case

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Homicide detectives have detained a second man for questioning following the discovery of the body of a young woman they believe is 18-year-old Ashanti Riley, who has been missing since last Sunday.

The body was found early this morning in a river at La Canoa, Santa Cruz after police obtained information from a 32-year-old taxi driver who had been in police custody earlier this week. The young woman’s body was in a shallow watercourse just 60 feet from the roadway.

Senior police sources said acting on information they detained a second suspect at his Laventille home a short time ago and a third man is being sought for questioning.

Riley left her home at Lloyd Street, Sunshine Avenue, San Juan, on Sunday to attend her grandmother’s birthday party, but never arrived. She was reported missing on the same day.

The teen’s mother confirmed to Guardian Media on Thursday that police told her a 32-year-old taxi driver, who had picked up her daughter, was in police custody.

Investigators familiar with the case believe Riley may have been raped and later killed by her attackers.