Trinidad and Tobago police uncover 56 bodies, mostly children, at cemetery | Crime News
Investigation Launched Following Discovery of 56 Corpses in Cumuto, Trinidad and Tobago
Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago have initiated an investigation after the abandonment of 56 bodies, primarily those of children, was reported at a cemetery in Cumuto. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) announced the findings in a statement released on Saturday.
The recovered remains include 50 infants, alongside four adult males and two adult females. Officials noted that at least one of the adult females and one of the adult males appeared to have undergone post-mortem examinations. Identification tags, resembling those commonly used in morgues, were affixed to all adult bodies.
“Preliminary indications suggest that this may be a case involving the unlawful disposal of unclaimed corpses,” the TTPS stated. “Further forensic analysis is underway to determine the origin of the remains and any associated breaches of law or procedure.”
The bodies were discovered approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the capital, Port of Spain. Following the grim discovery, police secured the scene and began a forensic examination, deploying specialized units, including homicide experts.
Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro expressed concern regarding the discovery. “The nature of this discovery is deeply troubling, and we understand the emotional impact it will have on families and the wider national community,” he said. Guevarro emphasized that the TTPS is approaching the investigation with urgency and sensitivity, noting, “Every cadaver must be handled with dignity and lawful care. Any individual or institution found to have violated that duty will be held fully accountable.”
Improper disposal of human remains constitutes a criminal offense in Trinidad and Tobago, as in many other jurisdictions. The Caribbean nation has faced an increase in organized crime in recent years.
In December 2024, Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency to address rising gang violence. Initially set for 15 days, the emergency declaration has largely remained in effect since then. The House of Representatives voted in March 2025 to extend the state of emergency for an additional three months.
At that time, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar reported that 373 individuals had been detained under the emergency proclamation, which expanded law enforcement powers regarding arrests and entry into public and private premises. The Prime Minister asserted her commitment to a “zero-tolerance approach to crime and criminal gangs,” warning that further actions would be taken against those who threaten public safety.
Trinidad and Tobago has witnessed a significant increase in homicide rates since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the homicide rate was approximately 20 per 100,000 people, rising to a record 45.7 per 100,000 in 2024. However, the rate saw a decline in 2025, dropping to about 27 per 100,000.
