Randolph Bharatt, the father of Andrea Bharatt, broke down in tears last night as he lit a candle and placed two bouquets on a shrine in Palmiste Park to mark the first anniversary of his daughter's disappearance and subsequent murder.
Bharat, 56, was joined by Andrea's boyfriend, Keshon Saman, 28, as they tried to keep her spirit alive.
Andrea, a clerk at the Arima Magistrate's Court, was last seen entering a taxi on January 29, 2021. But she never made it home.
Six days later, her decomposing body was found down a precipice in the Heights of Aripo.
"The last year has ripped my life apart. I still can't talk about my daughter one year later. I would not wish this on any parent," Bharatt said.
Saman, who came along with his family members, placed six pink roses under a photograph of Andrea.
It was the first time Saman spoke to the media about his sweetheart.
Trying hard to contain his emotion, Saman said Andrea's death changed the course of his life.
"You can never be the same again. People say time heals all wounds, but every day my wounds continue to remain fresh. The pain is too much," Saman said.
Saman showed a photograph on his phone of him and Andrea embracing.