Skeletal remains were found in a cane field at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara early yesterday morning.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed the discovery and told Stabroek News that detectives would examine the list of missing persons and at some stage conduct DNA testing to identify the remains.
Blanhum said there was no clothing or personal effects on the remains. It is suspected that any item that could have led to identification were destroyed when the cane field was burnt. Stabroek News was unable to ascertain exactly when the field was burnt but was told that it was recent.
Blanhum said a canecutter, who was cutting burnt cane between 6am and 6.30 am, stumbled upon the skull and bones and raised an alarm. “We will have to check and see those reported missing then contact relatives and then do DNA testing,” he added.
Given the frequent delays encountered by the police force in getting results from DNA samples sent overseas for testing, it could be sometime before the identity of the person is determined.
