AFTER an autopsy performed on Monday on the body of Ramesh Katarnauth by Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, the cause of death was given as asphyxia due to drowning, compounded by compression injury to the neck and multiple blunt trauma to the body.

The body of Katarnauth was found on the Georgetown seawall on Sunday.

Katarnauth, 26, of Lot 83 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, had left home to make a purchase at a nearby shop the day before he failed to return home.

Relatives stated that the man left home at about 21:30 hrs for the shop and his whereabouts were unknown and they could not say how he ended up at the seawall.

Katarnauth was involved in an accident last year on Phagwah day in which he was seriously injured and one of his friends died and since then he has not been himself.

He sustained a fractured skull and other injuries which had rendered him unfit for work and he had gone into a state of depression.

After he went missing a search was launched and on Sunday morning his relatives received a telephone call saying a body was found on the seawall after which they showed up.

Relatives are in the process of arranging a funeral service which is scheduled to take place this week.

(Michel Outridge)