AGONDA: In an important twist in the mysterious death of British national Emma Louise Leaning at Agonda church premises, the parish priest, Fr Patrick Luis, has refuted the police narrative that the body was lying there on January 1 and went unnoticed.
The priest’s deposition on Friday reaffirms what O Heraldo has mentioned in its serious of ground level investigations into the death of Emma Louise Leaning
The priest staunchly asserted that the impossibility of a dead body lying unnoticed in the church premises during the New Year’s celebrations and even on January 1, 2024, since the area was packed with New Year‘s Eve revellers.
“It is difficult to say that a body was there on January 1 and went unnoticed since there are shacks around and an adjoining building too with people. There is no chance of an unidentified dead body lying in the property premises on January 1 and going unnoticed. I clearly told this to the police,” Fr Patrick Luis informed O Heraldo.
Fr Patrick Luis, a central figure in the church community for the village of Agonda, provided a detailed account of the events that unfolded on December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2024.
The priest highlighted the busy schedule, which included Sunday masses, a night service, and the parish sports event on January 1, 2024.
“During this celebration, a sizable crowd gathered from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm on January 1 creating a vibrant and well-lit atmosphere. In the morning parishioners have even attended the morning mass,” said Fr Patrick Louis. Fr Patrick contends that such a festive environment makes it highly improbable for any unattended body to escape notice.
Adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama, the priest underscored his absence from the church on January 2, 2024, due to a prior commitment at Chaudi.
This revelation raises questions about what might have transpired during his absence and how it could be connected to the ongoing investigation.
The priest’s deposition implies that the circumstances surrounding the death may be more intricate than initially presumed, casting doubt on the early conclusions drawn by Canacona Police.
As investigators delve deeper into the unfolding enigma, they face the daunting task of unravelling the truth behind this mysterious incident.
The questions surrounding the reliability of initial findings and the peculiar circumstances of the foreigner’s death linger, leaving the community in suspense and the investigation at a crucial crossroads.
Emma last seen on the beach at 1 am, on January 1: PI Canacona
AGONDA: Canacona Police Inspector Chandrakant Gawas speaking to O Heraldo, said that the police have recorded statements of 25 crucial people connected with the case.
He further informed that the CCTV of nearby places have been verified and cross checked and she was last seen on beach at 1am on January 1, 2024.
When asked about the deposition of Fr Patrick, Inspector Gawas said that Father in his deposition has said that he had not personally seen the particular site where the dead body was found.
According to sources, the deceased was last seen in a nearby restaurant named ‘Kopi Desa’ and was last seen by the people on the beach at 1 am on January 1.
