PME confirms teen was pregnant, died by drowning and blunt trauma to head

Eighteen-year-old Melissa Soman whose body was found floating in the Berbice River last week died as a result of drowning, compounded by blunt trauma to the head, a Post Mortem Examination (PME) revealed Monday.

The PME, which was performed by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh at the Le Repentir crematorium, also confirmed that the teenager was pregnant.

Her 22-year-old boyfriend has reportedly confessed to beating her before she allegedly jumped overboard.

He also told investigators that she was two months pregnant and was suspicious that she had an affair.

According to a source close to the investigation, on the evening June 17, Soman, known as Lisa, and her boyfriend were involved in a heated argument after he accused her of dancing with a number of persons at a birthday party they had just attended in Gaettroy Village.

He told investigators she was also “friendly” and was seen dancing with his 48-year-old uncle.

While in the boat on their way home, the boyfriend launched an attack on the uncle and the teenager using a boat paddle.

The body of the teenager, who was a mother of two-year-old, was found on June 18 at around 15:00h in the vicinity of DeVeldt Village.

Her face and right hand were badly disfigured after it was eaten by fish. Her father, Paul Soman told the News Room Monday that he feels some amount of relief that the truth has come to light.

The funeral is set for Friday.  Soman left her family home at 58 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam about three months ago after informing her parents she was going to live with her boyfriend up the Berbice River.

The boyfriend and uncle remain in Police custody as investigators await advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.