The body of an elderly resident of Martindale, Lower Pomeroon, was found floating in a trench on Tuesday afternoon, several hours after he had left his residence to purchase ice in the area.
The dead man has been identified as 74-year-old Morris Edwards, called ‘Bud.’ According to a police report, the man’s niece, Diana Edwards, said that at eight o’clock on Tuesday morning, Edwards had travelled to the Charity Post Office, where he uplifted his old-age pension before returning home at one that afternoon. Upon his arrival, he had in his possession, a bottle of rum and a bottle of Coca Cola.
The younger Edwards reported that her uncle then left after informing her that he was heading out to buy ice in the area. The woman said that around 5.15pm the same day, she was contacted by a villager who informed her that the pensioner was seen floating face up in the trench.
An alarm was raised and Edwards’ body was retrieved.
The police also said that ranks who visited the scene at 6.30 pm examined the man’s body for marks of violence but none were found. His body was taken to the Charity Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The man’s niece also told police that he suffered from tuberculosis. It is unclear whether the illness may have been the cause of his death.
His body was taken to the Suddie Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
