Father of four found dead in Plaisance trench

Apr 06, 2014 News

Shortly after leaving his family’s home in the early hours of yesterday morning to gather Purine leaves for a religious function, the lifeless body of 39-year-old father of four; Bashidae ‘Basdeo” Rambissoon, was fished out of a trench at Graham Street, Plaisance on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

Bashidae ‘Basdeo” Rambissoon

Rambissoon was said to have left his lot 207 Montrose, ECD home around 05:00hours. The family told this publication that around 07:00hours they received word from another relative that Rambissoon had died by drowning in a trench some distance away. The man’s body was later identified by his children, who later called home to relay the news.
Sometime later, Rambissoon’s wife and other relatives converged on the scene to further confirm their fears. When Kaieteur News arrived on the scene, several residents had flocked the area to get a glimpse of the body.
The dead man’s wife of over 20 years, Neemah Sharma was in no position to speak to the media. The man’s eldest daughter Samantha, told this newspaper that her father is epileptic and may have caught a “fit” while picking the Purine leaf.
The 19 year-old woman told Kaieteur News that she saw her father a short time before learning of his death. He had told his family that he was going to gather the leaves and left, she said. Sometime later, she overheard her father’s cousin telling someone that Rambissoon had drowned in Graham Street.
Samantha said she and her older brother, 21-year-old Kevin Rambissoon were sent to the location to see if indeed it was her father. “I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it,” she told the newspaper. “It was my father.”
Samantha said that apart from her father’s illness, he was also a strong drinker, but he was not drunk when he left to cut the leaves. She told the newspaper that her dad also did odd jobs around the community as his illness did not permit him to perform heavy tasks.
Kevin told the newspaper that he too saw his father just before he left home yesterday morning to cut the leaves. He describes his father as a helpful person who would normally cut leaves for persons who were hosting functions in the community.
Rambissoon’s body was taken away by the Lyken Funeral Parlour, while the family went to the Sparendaam Police Station to file an official report on his demise. Police investigators say that from the information received, it would appear that Rambissoon may have died by drowning. The publication was told however that a post mortem examination will be conducted tomorrow while a formal investigation has been launched.

From left: Kevin, Samantha (black top) and their mother (blue top) stand inches away from Rambissoon’s lifeless body.

Rambissoon also leaves to mourn a nine year-old daughter, a 12-year-old son and several friends and relatives who had already started to converge at the family’s home in preparation for the wake.