Devon Charles, the prime suspect in Andrea Bharatt’s kidnapping and murder, died.
Charles, 38, died at Mt Hope Hospital this afternoon.
He was in a coma for several days after police said he was injured in an escape attempt.
He had suffered severe brain damage and was paralyzed.
Charles, also known as Joel Balcon, was one of six people detained in connection with the murder.
Suspect Andrew Morris, 35 of Tumpuna Road, Arima died at Arima Hospital on February 1, but his death was reported on February 3.
Three other suspects remain in custody.
When he was not in prison, Charles, the father of a 13-year-old boy, lived on the Oropouche Road in Sangre Grande.
At six feet tall, he weighed about 165 pounds and was described in police reports as having “bump teeth and scars on his forehead, neck and leg, and a tattoo on his left hand.
Between 2007 and 2017, he was arrested and charged with 70 crimes, including several charges of rape, kidnapping, private imprisonment, theft and aggravated theft.
He received bail in all instances and was dismissed in more than 30 cases when the police and the alleged victims did not appear in court for years.
Charles spent more than two years in prison, but received bail at the end of last year.
The family of 17-year-old Teri Gomez, who disappeared 13 years ago, believes she was murdered by Charles.
Gomez is still missing today.
Bharatt, 22 who worked as a clerk at the Arima Magistrates’ Court, disappeared around 5:50 pm, two Fridays ago, when he boarded a “H” car, a Nissan Versa on King Street, Arima, with a co-worker. Police said Bharatt’s friend was dropped off near her home in Cleaver Heights, Arima, but around 7:30 pm, when Bharatt was unable to get home, his father called his cell phone.
A man answered and, when asked to speak to his daughter, replied: “This is about money. If you don’t pay the ransom, I’ll cut your daughter’s ears and send it to you. “
The man on that call is believed to be Charles.
Inconclusive
An autopsy performed today on Bharatt’s body revealed that the cause of death was inconclusive. It was also confirmed that all of his organs were intact.
TTPS Statement
Devon Charles / Joel Balcon, 36, of Oropouche Road, Sangre Grande, one of the suspects arrested in connection with Andrea Bharatt’s kidnapping and death, died this afternoon at the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex, Mount Hope.
Balcon was arrested at his home on Sunday, January 31, 2021, by members of the Special Operations Response Team (SORT).
According to reports, in an attempt to escape from prison, Balcon was said to have suffered injuries and had to be taken to the hospital, where he remained until his death today. Reports revealed that around 2:20 pm today, hospital nurses found Balcon unanswered. They tried to resuscitate him, however, he was declared dead at 2:32 pm.
Balcon was one of several people arrested by the police after Bharatt was reported missing on January 29, 2021. Between 2007 and 2017, Balcon was arrested and charged with 70 crimes, including several charges of rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment, theft and theft with aggravation. At the time of his death, 45 of these cases were pending.
Bharatt, a clerk at the Arima Magistrates’ Court, was last seen getting into a taxi in Arima on the afternoon of January 29, 2021 and has not been seen since. His decomposed body was found on a precipice in the Aripo Hills on February 4.