Murder victim Sookdeo
“Bill” Manohar.

The rural fishing village of Cumana was in disbelief following the hacking deaths of two men early yesterday morning. Robbery, it is believed, may have led to the killings of Sookdeo “Bill” Manohar, 76, of Gajadhar Trace, and Sonny Rudolph Valentine,50, also known as “Chief,” formerly of Laventille. Manohar, who was known as a money-lender in the community, operated a retail cooking gas business. Valentine, who worked with the elderly man, was also his tenant. Manohar, the father of ten, lived alone.

Within minutes of reportedly committing the crimes, a man ran to the home of a relative seeking refuge. He was instead handed over to officers of the Toco Police Station. Up to late yesterday afternoon, a man in his 20s, and believed to be well known to Manohar, was assisting police with investigations. Expressing concern about the homicides, head of Eastern Division Senior Supt Margaret Sampson-Brown, however, vowed to bring the killer to justice.

According to Sampson-Brown police received a call around 6 am that a body was discovered lying at the corner of Gajadhar Road and Toco Main Road. Manohar was found lying face down with multiple chop wounds to his head and hands. Valentine was found in a room of the house, also with deep chop wounds to the head. According to a neighbour, who operated a parlour close by, the perpetrator apparently gained entry into the house by cutting a lock at the back door.