Relatives launch foundation in honour of Chris Jacob

– renew calls for justice

Relatives of airport employee Chris Andrew Jacob whose body was found in the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s water reservoir two months ago, yesterday launched a charity foundation in his name as they renewed calls for justice.

Jacob, 26, a maintenance engineer of the airport who lived in nearby Hauraruni, along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, was found drowned in a water reservoir at the airport on November 23, after being involved in a reported assault and a resulting altercation some time after 11 on the said night. Yesterday’s events involved a motorcade from the Soesdyke Junction to Timehri Red Ground, where the Chris Andrew Jacob Foundation was launched. His father Jagad Jacob explained that the foundation was set up to award students who perform exceptionally well at the 2015 National Grade Six Examination at the Hauraruni Primary School which Jacob attended. He said that in future, the foundation will also cover scholarships, mentorships and school tours for students all across the country.Using the biblical account of the murder of Abel by his brother Cain, the grieving father said that his son’s blood is crying out for justice. The man opined that the society is dangerous, as he called on the authorities to do a thorough investigation into “the murder” of his son.

Relatives and friends of  Chris Jacob assembled at the Timehri Red Ground minutes before the foundation in his name was launched yesterday afternoon. (Photo by Arian Browne)
Relatives and friends of Chris Jacob assembled at the Timehri Red Ground minutes before the foundation in his name was launched yesterday afternoon. (Photo by Arian Browne)

He expressed his disbelief that his son’s death was initially ruled as a drowning, when he had been a good swimmer, who grew up in a community surrounded by creeks. Moreover, he said if the truth of the circumstances surrounding his son’s death was brought to light, then “top bracket” officials would be implicated.

“Somebody knows what happened to him and somebody has to pay,” added Jacob.

Although a post-mortem examination performed on the remains of Jacob had revealed that he died as a result of drowning, a visible wound was seen at the back of his head, his father said.