Totaram Mohotoo and his wife Bhagmattie were badly beaten before they died an indication that the killer/s spent some amount of time with them before ransacking their Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara home and setting a homemade bomb.
Police investigators seemingly have their work set out for them as the unanswered questions surrounding the deaths of the duo continue to pile up.
According to the results of post-mortem examinations (PMEs) conducted yesterday, Mohotoo, 54, died as a result of smoke inhalation compounded by burnt trauma, while Bhagwattie popularly called ‘Dolly’, 48, died of blunt trauma to the back compounded by burnt trauma. The PMEs were conducted by government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital morgue.
Sources told Stabroek News that the possibility exists that they were still alive when the fire
started. Bhagwattie’s “head bash in” and both bodies had deep wounds, a source said.
Police had said in their press release that around 00:35 hrs last Friday, the charred remains of Mohotoo called ‘Beer’ and ‘Fat man’ and his wife of Area Q, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara were found in the bedroom of the upper flat of their home. The release said the home had been destroyed by “a fire of so far unknown origin” adding that investigations were in progress.
Stabroek News had been told by residents that loud explosions sounding like gunshots or squibs were heard and shortly afterwards a security guard started shouting for fire. Prior to that the guard had seen a taxi waiting in front of the Lot 22 address, with the driver tooting, for about 15 minutes before it drove off.
After the explosion was heard, a huge hole appeared in the front wall of the house. This newspaper was later told that a gas bottle was the possible cause of that explosion as fragments of the bottle were found in the bedroom.
At the time, persons did not know that the couple was home since calls went unanswered. A car belonging to them was parked in the yard.
After fire fighters managed to extinguish the blaze, the badly burnt couple was found on what was once their bed. Mohotoo’s hands were tied behind his back. His wife was lying next to him.
Three days have passed since the incident occurred and there are numerous outstanding questions. It is now believed that the couple had being tortured prior to their deaths which have some link to Mohotoo’s business practices and huge unpaid debts. Relatives had described Mohotoo as a cambio dealer.
From all indications, Mohotoo knew his killer/s and had let them willingly into his home. A source told this newspaper that more than one person was involved in the incident as when Mohotoo was attacked he would have fought back.
Ransacked
A close relative indicated to this newspaper that most of the couple’s valuables were not found and there is evidence to suggest that the house was ransacked. Stabroek News was told that the couple owned many pieces of jewellery but almost none was found. A single piece of jewellery was recovered in the kitchen area.
“He used to keep money home and they had plenty jewels,” the relative said, adding that the man was not in the habit of taking large sums of money home on a daily basis. “When they [other relatives] checked they ain’t find nothing of value really,” the relative said.
This newspaper was told that relatives visited the burnt out structure and removed what they felt was of value before securing the front gates with padlocks.
Meanwhile, this newspaper understands that Mohotoo was the owner of a licensed firearm, but based on reports it has not been recovered.
The relative who spoke with Stabroek News, while describing the Mohotoo as a good man expressed fear for the safety of family remembers.
The couple is expected to be cremated later this week.
