Stephon Nicholas
Tobago Correspondent
The serenity of McKenna Vale, Concordia, was shattered yesterday following the discovery of a body down a precipice.
Kareem Hughes, 32, of Mt Grace, was found bareback and partially submerged in a small pool.
Relatives told Guardian Media that the ex-Republic Bank employee and father of one never made it home on Monday night.
They said this was unlike him, and their concerns were heightened as he does not have a cellphone for them to contact him.
Their fears escalated yesterday morning when his grey Toyota Aqua was found abandoned on the lonely gravel road at McKenna Vale.
His jersey was seen strewn on the side of the hill, around 40 metres away from the vehicle.
A neighbour said she had just returned home around midday when she saw the commotion with police and fire services.
She said the area is typically very tranquil, as there are just about four houses with almost everyone related to each other.
Another neighbour said he saw the vehicle parked whole morning and wondered what it was doing there.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a relative of Hughes described him as a very intelligent and helpful person.
“He is the type of person, if you call him and need help, he will drop whatever he is doing and come and help you.”
He said Hughes had never complained about being threatened or having any enemies.
He said the family is confused by his death, especially as no marks of violence were found about the body.
An aunt of Hughes told Guardian Media the entire family remains devastated, especially his mother.
As they sat outside their home in Mt Grace, the aunt said, “Right now, everybody is down.
“Our heart hurts because Kareem was a loving soul to everybody, and it is not easy right now. We cannot face it right now.”
She described her nephew as a very calm and humble individual.
“We leave it in the police hands,” she said.
Investigations are ongoing.
