A 37-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Oropouche gardener Adio Julien was held by homicide officers late yesterday. The suspect, reported to have threatened to murder Julien one day before his body was found, remained in police custody last night.
Investigators are working on a theory that Julien was killed after allegedly stealing drugs from a dealer in Oropouche. Police said they have recorded six statements from relatives who claimed Julien was fearful for his life. Meanwhile, an autopsy conducted on Julien's body at the Forensic Science Centre by pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov said he was killed before being thrown into the pond. Alexandrov said Julien was shot in the knee cap.
The victim's throat was also slit. The slit was so deep that it went right down to the spinal bone, severing the jugular vein, his trachea (windpipe) and his aesophagus. Alexandrov said abrasions on Julien's back showed he was dragged on a rough surface after being slashed.
The injury to Julien's left knee was so extensive that his entire joint was blown off. Pellets were found in the knee. Alexandrov said the shot was fired from a range of five to seven metres. With such an injury, Alexandrov said, it would have been impossible for Julien to walk.
There was no evidence of water in the stomach or haemorrhaging in the ears to suggest that Julien had drowned. Julien's relatives said his funeral will be held on Tuesday at the Dow Village Open Bible Church. He will be cremated at Belgrove's in San Fernando.
