Trinidad and Tobago recorded eleven deaths between December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, including five homicides and six other fatal incidents, marking a grim start to the new year across the twin island republic.
The homicides were reported in east Port of Spain, El Socorro, Marabella, Penal, and Delaford in Tobago, while the remaining deaths resulted from accidents and other causes in several communities.
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The first murder of 2026 occurred shortly after midday on New Year’s Day when 58 year old businessman Ricky Taylor was shot and killed near his establishment at the corner of Prince and George Streets in Port of Spain. Taylor, a well known figure in the community, was reportedly liming with friends at the LOVE Movement office on George Street shortly before the attack.
Police sources indicated that Taylor had previously received threats from gang members in the area and was suspected of providing information to law enforcement. Members of the Laventille Outreach for Vertical Enrichment Movement described his killing as a devastating loss, particularly at a time when the community had hoped for a peaceful start to the year.
LOVE Movement political leader Lennox Smith said Taylor had been preparing to assist with a New Year’s Day community frolic at the Empowerment Centre and was moments away from helping with the event. He said Taylor had been tasked with cooking and organizing supplies and had been given money to purchase additional drinks shortly before he was killed. Investigations into the murder are ongoing.
Hours before the start of the new year, 53 year old labourer Dexter Griffith of Isaac Avenue, Plaisance Park, was fatally shot in Marabella. Police reported that Griffith was liming with two other men along a track near the corner of George and Charles Streets around 9 pm when a vehicle stopped nearby. A masked gunman exited the vehicle and opened fire as the men attempted to flee. Griffith was later found dead at the scene. Officers recovered seven spent shells and one live nine millimeter round.
In El Socorro, 76 year old Gobin Deonarine was shot by a lone gunman while playing cards with friends on Persad Lane. The assailant reportedly approached on a bicycle before carrying out the attack.
In Penal, 63 year old labourer Alan Singh was found dead on Wednesday after relatives detected a foul odor coming from his residence on Coqueran Drive. Singh, who lived alone in a small galvanized structure, was last seen alive on Monday. His decomposing body was discovered in bushes behind a nearby pump station. An autopsy is expected to be conducted at the Forensic Science Centre.
In Tobago, 26 year old Jerome Woods was found outside his apartment in Delaford suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Six additional deaths were recorded from other incidents across the country.
Ten month old Alya Amalia Ramjit died in a suspected drowning at her home in Diego Martin. Police said the child had been left in the care of her grandmother while her father briefly went upstairs. The infant was later found face down in the family’s swimming pool. Despite attempts at resuscitation, she was pronounced dead at a medical facility. A post mortem examination has been scheduled.
In Morvant, the body of Ronald Richards, also known as Psycho, was discovered in the Malick River. Richards, who was described as a street dweller, was found naked and unresponsive on Wednesday morning. Police observed minor abrasions on his body and noted that he had been known to sleep in a makeshift structure near the river. An autopsy is scheduled.
In Barrackpore, 57 year old Vishnu Rampersad was found motionless in his bedroom. Police are treating the death as a suspected suicide.
Another fatality occurred in New Grant along the Naparima Mayaro Road, where 37 year old Codel County died after falling from a house he was painting. The homeowner discovered him with severe injuries, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said no foul play is suspected.
A road traffic fatality was also recorded in South Oropouche, where 53 year old Amarjit Balkissoon was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross the Southern Main Road.
The final death involved a 36 year old United States national, Jonathan Claude of Cypress, Texas, who died following what investigators believe was a fall from the sixth floor of the Trinidad Hilton hotel early on New Year’s Day. Preliminary reports indicate the incident occurred shortly before 5 am, and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death are continuing.
