UPDATED STORY:

Police Commissioner Gary Griffith has confirmed that the decomposing body found off a precipice along the Heights of Aripo on Thursday afternoon is kidnap victim Andrea Bharatt.

According to an official statement from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, relatives confirmed the young woman’s identity based on the clothing on the body.

Around 12:20 pm today, a motorist was driving his vehicle along the Heights of Aripo Road when he looked down a precipice and saw a decomposed body.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Police are currently at the heights of Aripo, where the decomposing body of a woman was found down a precipice shortly after noon.

Forensics are in the process of extracting the corpse from the site.

A brief statement from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service said the body was spotted by a motorist at around 12:20pm.

It was said to be in an advanced state of decomposition.

There has been absolutely no confirmation, at this time, that the body is that of missing woman Andrea Bharatt, who was abducted last Friday after she got into a taxi to make her way to her home in Arima.

The young woman’s father, Randy Bharatt, arrived at the site shortly after 3pm, followed by other relatives including her aunt.

Hunters, who had been out in their numbers to support police in their search for Ms. Bharatt, are also present at the scene, as well as members of the media. 

Ms. Bharatt’s case has gripped the entire nation, with an outpouring of support and prayers offered for her safe return.