An autopsy will be done today on the body of Richard Jessie Maharaj, who was found hanging close to a garden shed behind his home on New Year's Day. Several of Maharaj's relatives were interviewed by the police yesterday, following allegations that he and his siblings were often verbally and physically abused.
Based on the position of the corpse, police said they were treating the death as a suspected suicide.
Detectives said Maharaj reportedly told a female relative that he could not take any more stress and wanted to end his life. His mother Sulashdaye Maharaj told investigators she last saw her son around 4.30 am on New Year's day. He told her he was going to bed. A source, however, said Maharaj went to an aunt's home and told her he wanted to commit suicide.
However, she did not believe him. It was only around 2 pm on New Year's Day that relatives found his body hanging from a mango tree. District Medical Officer Dr Parasram visited the scene and ordered the body removed to the Forensic Science Centre where the autopsy will be done. Investigations are continuing.