WCB labourer found dead with chop wounds to head, arms

The decomposed body of West Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) was on Monday afternoon discovered in the backlands of Number 41 Village WCB.
Dead is 45-year-old Odit Persaud Thom of Number 5 Village, WCB.
Reports are that Thom has been reported missing since March 2. However, at about 12:30h on Monday his body was discovered floating in a trench, which separates the rice fields from the savannah.
Regional Commander Assistant Commissioner Kurleigh Simon said in a release that Thom took care of cattle in the backdam for several persons and was staying at a camp located at Seafield Backdam.
On Sunday, a rice farmer impounded cattle, which were under Thom’s care this newspaper was told.
This caused the a 28-year-old farmer, whom Thom, was also working for to go into the backdam in search of him. The man reported that he did not find Persaud at the camp. On Monday together with other cattle farmers, they continued the search and eventually found his motionless body floating in a trench.
Commander Simon said the body was fished out by the police and found in a state of decomposition. It was observed that the deceased sustained chop wounds to both arms and the head.
At the time of the discovery, he was carrying a haversack on his back which contained toiletries and his ID card.
Police canvassed the area and a pair of slippers and cap were found on the dam in the vicinity where the body was floating.
The body is currently at Bailey Funeral Home awaiting an autopsy and the investigations continue. (G4)