Tomb raiders snatch valuables, throws out corpse of teen who lost battle to cancer

Thieves have raided a tomb in Berbice, carting off jewels and cash placed in the coffin of 19-year-old Vishnu Samaroo called Antonio, who recently lost the battle against cancer.

The tomb raiders struck sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday. Samaroo died on January 18 and was laid to rest three days later at the Hampshire Cemetery, Corentyne Berbice.

Relatives say jewels worth $100,000, a smartphone worth $54,000, and an undisclosed amount of cash were placed in the coffin.

Samaroo’s father, Awad Samaroo, told the News Room that he usually visits his son’s grave every day. Recently, he began tiling the tomb.

On Tuesday, he left the tomb intact and returned to his Belvedere, Corentyne house.

When he returned on Wednesday at about 14:00hrs, Awad was shocked to find the tomb was broken into and his son’s body dragged about 20 feet away.

“When I go and check, the whole one side break and I start hollering,” Mr Samaroo explained.

The distraught man said he returned home and called the police. The young Samaroo lost his battle to stage four cancer in January.