Spiritual visions and a few phone calls have led police and relatives of missing hairstylist Ria Sookdeo to the remote areas of Moruga and Cedros hoping to bring her back home.
But by sundown, Sookdeo, 34, was not found and her abductors have not contacted her family to make any demands for her return.
Investigators from the Anti Kidnapping Squad (AKS) were at Sookdeo’s home at Raghoo Village, Debe, yesterday, trying to piece together a motive for her abduction.
Investigators said they were acting on every bit of information coming to them, even a spiritual vision that someone had, showing that Sookdeo was in Cedros.
They said people have called, saying that Sookdeo or the black SUV she was whisked away in, have been spotted in the Moruga area as well.
Since Thursday night, her husband Mark, relatives and neighbours left for Cedros hoping to find her.
There was panic in the community yesterday morning when there were reports of a body found along Pluck Road, La Romaine.
Sookdeo’s neighbour, Mohan Ramnath, said someone called, saying he saw police in the bush in La Romaine. He said he and another neighbour went to the scene and informed police where they were from and that someone was missing from their community. There was relief when they learned the body was that of a man.
Reports stated that around 8 am Thursday, Sookdeo dropped off her two children at the Picton Presbyterian Primary School and drove her red Nissan X-Trail SUV to Picton Estate Drive to turn.
That was when a black Nissan X-Trail pulled up behind, blocking her path. Two gunmen wearing tactical clothing emerged and bundled her into their SUV and drove off.
Helicopters from the National Security Operations Centre and T&T Air Guard joined police searches but neither Sookdeo nor the black SUV were found.
Children worried about mommy
It has been tough for relatives to try to keep Sookdeo’s children — Elana, nine and Tores, five — away from the stresses being faced.
Mark’s mother, Sama Sookdeo, who told reporters police brought the children home from school on Thursday afternoon and they have been asking for their mommy ever since.
She said a teary Mark would not answer and eventually they told the children their mother was at the hospital. The children remained at home yesterday, unaware of their mother's abduction.
“Last night he (Mark) and the others went down to Cedros because he said he could not take this. The children were asking for their mommy, saying they want back their mommy but he was only crying and not telling them anything.
“We told them that mommy got sick and gone to the hospital. The little boy wrote on a piece of paper “Help Mommy,” Sama said.
Flyer misinformation
Flyers about Sookdeo’s disappearance were distributed throughout San Fernando and Debe, published on Facebook and broadcast on electronic billboards.
However, Mark appealed to relatives and neighbours to cease sharing the flyer, saying the contact numbers were not those of the police and immediate family, therefore they should not be used.
Based on instruction from investigators, he said anyone with information should contact 679-3165/623-6793 or 800-TIPS.
Community stressed
Scores of relatives, neighbours, friends and Sookdeo’s clients gathered at her home from Thursday night into Friday. Sookdeo’s father, Frankie Rajkumar, said a prayer session for her safe return was held.
“I am a Christian. I served a great God. I am praying that God will work out something and she will come home to us. All of us go to church and last night we had all the pastors, friends and her clients over so the place was crowded.
“We had a prayer meeting and trusted God but so far we are not hearing anything. Nobody saying they want a ransom. If someone calls we will have a little more peace, knowing she is alright but nobody hasn’t called,” Rajkumar said.
He said his family came from a humble beginning as from a tender age he began working in construction jobs. He said his children followed in that path and lived humble lives.
Ramnath described Sookdeo as a decent and humble person who worked hard.
“This has left all of us puzzled and the community is not taking it well. She is a down-to-earth person so everybody liked her,” he added.
A neighbour said Sookdeo was such a good hairstylist that she attracted wealthy clients from around the country.