Still in shock over his brutal murder, a relative of Amar Rooplal said she was first alerted through social media that a body with Amar tattooed on the fingers had been found in Ste Madeleine.
The tattoo, as well as an earring in the shape of an A, on the body, prompted her visit to the San Fernando Police Station on Tuesday evening where her worst fears were confirmed.
On Tuesday around 4.40 am security officers were on patrol along Cedar Hill Estate Road when they observed a body, which was later identified as Rooplal, on the ground with blood around him.
Rooplal’s throat had been slit and there were stab wounds on his back.
The 34-year-old, who was a father of two, was a school bus driver and also provided landscaping services through Amar’s Aquatech, but the business was not registered. About two months ago he moved out of his home in Toradale Gardens in Ste Madeleine after he and his wife had a disagreement and he began renting an apartment at Roy Avenue, Vistabella.
In an interview yesterday, a relative who did not wish to be identified said he sold a Frontier van last weekend and had rented a Nissan Note. Neither the car, his wallet, phone nor money have been found, leading the relative to believe that Rooplal may have been robbed and then killed.
She said on Monday night Rooplal told his landlord that he was going to church. “He was a quiet person, didn’t argue with people. Didn’t have threats against him and didn’t owe anyone money.”
The relatives described him as a good person.
“This is very heartbreaking. He didn’t deserve this. He would be home all the time. He didn’t put himself out there. These people have to be real heartless,” the relative said.
The relative said she was alarmed by the crime situation in the country.
“It is a nightmare. You just want to leave this country. You working hard but people watching you. We don’t know who it is and why this happened. They could have taken what they wanted but didn’t have to kill him.”
She is hoping that the police work feverishly to bring Rooplal’s killers to justice.
Homicide officers Region 3 are continuing investigations.