CMC News
Monday, November 24, 2014
Police are investigating the murder of a German couple on a secluded Tobago beach.
Two people walking the beach early Saturday morning made the gruesome disovery of one body and immediately notified police who found the second body 400 feet away.
The couple – Birgid and Hubertus Keil, owned a vacation home on the island and arrived on October 25th with plans to stay until March of next year.
Tobago police report that the bodies of Birgid, 71 and Hubertus, 74, bore marks of violence and had gaping chop wounds to their backs.
According to the Trinidad Express, “a defensive wound was also observed on the left hand of Keil, suggesting he may have struggled with his attacker”.
Police have been trying to ascertain if the murders occurred elsewhere and the bodies dumped at the beach or if they were robbed and left there. Authorities believe the bodies may have been on the beach for one or two days before being discovered.
The couple’s house was also checked by local authorities, however there were no immediate signs of a robbery.
Interpol in Trinidad has been asked to contact the German Embassy to contact relatives of the couple.
An autopsy is to be performed to determine the cause of death. Scarborough homicide investigators are continuing investigations.
The Trindad Express also reported that “the couple’s house is within walking distance of the Bacolet home that belonged to Peter and Murium Green, who were viciously chopped on August 1, 2009. The Greens recovered after extensive surgery and have not returned to Tobago”.
The killings put Tobago’s murder toll at seven for the year so far.
The Tobago House of Assembly issued a statement on Saturday condemning the murder.
“Mr. and Mrs. Keil have been (visiting) Tobago, which they called home, for the last 15 years and were well known in their community. Their deaths come as a shock to all of Tobago and the THA because they have occurred at a time when Tobago’s already low crime rate has been further reduced in 2014 when compared to 2013.”
The THA added it has been in contact with the Police Service and “has been assured that the police have already set up a high-level team to pursue the investigation, with the aim of bringing to justice whoever is responsible for the Keil’s deaths”.
“The THA extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Keil,” the Assembly said in a statement.
President of the Hotel and Tou­rism Association Christopher James said his thoughts and prayers were with the family and friends of the couple.
