The family of 72-year-old Michael Soomair, who was found dead after an apparent home invasion at Phase Two, Hope Estate, East Coast Demerara (ECD), is expressing frustration over the lack of updates by the police about their investigations.
Soomair was discovered dead on July 9, and since then, family members claim they have not gotten an update from Police and believe that the detectives are dragging their feet.
In an interview on Sunday, Soomair’s daughter, Shannon Soomair, told this publication, “I don’t understand why the Police are not doing anything and they have not called to say anything. I even tried reaching out to the officer … the last time we heard from them was when we had to take Daddy’s ID card to them.”
She also stated that a neighbour seems to have more information about what occurred and was the last person to have seen her father alive.
“He saw Daddy the night, he saw when my son came and left, Daddy went to him. How come he didn’t see the person who went there? I do not know why the Police haven’t called him in to question him. He seems to know more,” she said.
It was reported that Soomair was found dead in his home, with signs indicating a struggle. His hands were bound with a rope, his face was down in a pillow, and a sheet covered his head. The house had been ransacked, and some items, including a non-functional smart television and pension money, were missing.
Soomair, who had recently survived two massive heart attacks, lived in the bottom flat of the house, while his grandson resided in the upper flat.
On the morning of the discovery, the grandson noticed something amiss when he saw that the door to Soomair’s apartment was locked from the inside. Upon further inspection, he found that several louver panes were missing from a window, through which he saw his grandfather lying lifeless in the living room.
The Police were summoned, but since their initial response, the family has heard nothing further. The family said the lack of communication has left them feeling abandoned and desperate for justice.
The family believes that Soomair may have known his attacker and is urging the Police to investigate thoroughly and bring the perpetrator to justice.
As family members continue to mourn his sudden and brutal passing, they hope for a resolution that will allow them to find some peace.
