Police in Trinidad and Tobago made a grim discovery on Saturday, uncovering the remains of at least 50 babies and six adults at a cemetery in Cumuto on the island of Trinidad. The cemetery is located about 40 kilometers east of the capital, Port of Spain, and initial investigations suggest the corpses were discarded there unlawfully. In a statement, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) indicated that this "may be a case involving the unlawful disposal of unclaimed corpses."
According to the TTPS, the adult remains included four males and two females. Five of the adult bodies had toe tags, similar to those used in morgues, and two of them—one male and one female—showed signs of having undergone autopsies. Police did not disclose whether any of the bodies had been identified. Authorities emphasized that the investigation is active and ongoing, with further forensic analysis underway to determine the origin of the remains and any breaches of law or procedure.
Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro described the gruesome find as "deeply troubling" and stressed that "every cadaver must be handled with dignity and lawful care." He warned that any individuals or institutions found to have violated this duty would be held fully accountable, adding that police are treating the case "with urgency, sensitivity and unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth." The discovery has raised serious concerns about procedural lapses and ethical handling of remains in the country.
Trinidad and Tobago, an English-speaking Caribbean nation comprising two islands situated about 10 kilometers off the coast of Venezuela, has been grappling with severe gang violence in recent years. Last month, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's government extended a state of emergency that was first imposed in December 2024. The country, with a population of 1.5 million, recorded 623 murders in 2024. According to the US State Department, it was ranked as the sixth most dangerous country in the world in 2023, with a murder rate of 37 per 100,000 people, highlighting ongoing security challenges.
Source: www.dw.com