The police will be seeking to obtain DNA samples for testing in order to confirm whether the charred remains that were found in the trunk a torched car at Mahaicony on Friday afternoon are indeed those of Colin Rodney Jr, a key witness in a murder case who went missing over a week ago.
However, Jacqueline Hunter, the mother of the missing man, is already confident that the remains are his.
“Is meh son. Is meh son. Is he car…I know marks on the car. It got a dent, is he…if you see me child,” Hunter told Sunday Stabroek.
Crime Chief (ag) Michael Kingston yesterday told this newspaper that the police received a call on Friday afternoon from an unknown individual, who informed them that a car was on fire at Letter T, Mahaicony.
As a result, ranks were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, the car was found burnt beyond recognition. Upon further investigation, the charred remains were found in the trunk of the car.
While it is suspected that the remains are those of Rodney Jr, also known as ‘Troy’ and ‘Cutty’ of Lot 70 D’Urban Street, Lodge, Kingston said DNA testing will have to be conducted.
Up to yesterday afternoon, he noted ranks from the forensic team were analyzing the vehicle to verify whether it was indeed Rodney’s vehicle.
Rodney Jr was last seen alive when he departed his home around 7.45 am on October 25th in his car, PRR 1076. A missing person’s report was filed at the East La Penitence police station.
On the day of his disappearance, Rodney was scheduled to attend the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in order to be cross-examined at the preliminary inquiry (PI) into a murder charge against Osafa Grundell, called ‘Curl Up,’ and James Fraser, called ‘Damo,’ who have been charged with the murder of Rodney’s cousin, Marlon Rodney.
Hunter had previously told this newspaper that she fears that her son might be in danger due to the importance he played in the case now before the court.
Marlon Rodney succumbed in late April, days after he was shot during a misunderstanding at the corner of D’Urban Street and Mandela Avenue.
He was reportedly shot four times in his left leg and never regained consciousness after he underwent surgery. Investigations, the police had said, revealed that Marlon and “Damo” had a misunderstanding, after which the former left. Shortly after, Marlon returned and he, “Damo” and “Curl up” continued to argue.
Both “Damo and Curl up”, who were said to have been brandishing handguns, allegedly discharged their weapons at Rodney, who was struck in the left leg, the police had added.
An autopsy later showed that Marlon died as a result of multiple injuries sustained to his left leg.
Hunter yesterday explained to Sunday Stabroek that she learnt of the discovery of the torched car and the remains late on Friday afternoon after one of Rodney’s friends saw the news on Facebook and told a neighbour who later informed her.
She said early yesterday morning she ventured to Mahaicony, where she was eventually allowed to see the charred remains at the mortuary.
“He one foot come off, one ah he foot, one deh half way and he burn. Everything, everything, you can’t recognise… he like he is coal, so they had to put he in a plastic bag right. He, if you touch he so, he gone lose out,” the grieving woman said.
“If you see me child, I can’t believe that. Why people could be so cruel?” she questioned.
Hunter said that since her son’s disappearance other witnesses in the PI have expressed fear and do not want to testify in the matter.
