The decomposing body of a handyman was discovered yesterday afternoon in a trench in Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
The body, relatives say, is that of 46-year-old Mahatamam Jairam, formerly of 237 2nd Street Herstelling, EBD. Rela-tives told Stabroek News that the body was discovered near the koker in the canal which runs parallel to 1st Street, Herstelling.
Persons living in the area say the discovery was made between 14:30hrs and 15:00hrs yesterday afternoon.
Jairam is an alcoholic who reportedly would “trip” on occasion and act “strangely”, relatives said.
Stabroek News understands that the man would regularly go into people’s yards and do ‘odd jobs’ for them, sometimes without their knowledge and/or approval.
He is said to have “escaped” from his residence, where he lived with his wife and daughter, around 01:30hrs Friday morning. Relatives say he broke the padlock which was placed on the gate to keep him on the premises.
Relatives say they searched several villages along the East Bank on Saturday and again yesterday morning when they realised he was missing. One relative said the family was told he had been seen in Diamond, EBD sometime yesterday. Several relatives had just left the Georgetown Hospital yesterday afternoon when they were told his body had been discovered in Herstelling,
It is not clear how long the man’s body was in the water but by the time it was removed it was badly decomposed. The body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour and a post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out either today or on Wednesday. Though the cause of death is not apparent, relatives say they do not suspect any foul play.
Jairam is said to have gone missing on one occasion before. He reportedly disappeared for a half day but was eventually found in Covent Garden, EBD.
