THE sister of Opposition Leader and former President Bharrat Jagdeo was found dead on Sunday at the Pradoville Two home at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara (ECD), where she resided.Ooma Jagdeo, 57, who was described by her brother as a “second mother”, was said to have been found non-responsive on Sunday morning by her children.

The former President was reportedly leading the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Local Government Elections (LGE) campaign in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) when he received the sad news.

Rallies in Wakenaam and Leguan at which he was scheduled to be present were cut short due to her passing.

Ooma had lived at a house in the same compound with her brother’s house in Pradoville. According to reports, the siblings had shared a closely knitted relationship, and she had even lived at State House with him while he served as President. She had not been married.

Though the cause of her death is unknown, police sources indicated to Newssource – an online media – that investigators did not see any signs of foul play.

The Opposition Leader himself offered that although he could not say immediately was what had caused her death.

“I don’t know what it is. I doubt (foul play),” he told Demerara Waves, another online media outlet.

He subsequently shared the news via his Facebook page, stating: “It’s with deep sadness I announce the death of my sister Shanta (Ooma). She was the epitome of a sister, she was a mother, my confidant and friend. She took care of me all my life, and I will miss her dearly.”