Anchored by his boat engine, Hogg Island farmer was found with hands & feet bound

Family members of Romeo Persaud, a farmer from Hogg Island whose body was found floating in the Essequibo River on Sunday, two days after he went missing, have detailed the discovery even as they make an early case for justice to be served.

Relatives of the deceased repeatedly told the News Room on Monday that their main focus is a united quest for justice even as they pleaded with anyone who has information concerning Persaud’s demise to come forward.

Persaud’s birthday was on Sunday but instead of celebrating with him, already distraught family members got the dreadful news that he was found dead.

His mother, Holiwattie Randolph, said when the body was discovered the man’s feet and hands were tied, his mouth was taped and a black plastic bag covered his face.

These details have left family members in disbelief.

Randolph told the News Room that she last heard from her son on Friday when left her home at Tuschen, West Coast Demerara to go to his home on Hogg Island.

She said that her son is a farmer and a speed boat operator.

The mother related that on Saturday a farmer found his boat drifting in the Essequibo River in the vicinity of Liberty Point and informed the family.

She since they were not on the Island, his neighbour collected the boat. Soon after it came to the family’s realisation that Persaud was missing since calls to his phone went unanswered.

The mother further recalled that she received a call on Sunday that his body was found and said that when she saw him, she was stunned.

“His hands tied, his feet tied, his face in a plastic bag, an engine anchor him,” Persaud’s mother said.

Randolph said that her son was very loving and did not have any enemies.

Persaud is a father of two. His body is currently at the mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.