And a Punta Gorda family is also mourning its own loss.
60-year-old Marcus Tracy, AKA Chippy, who is handicapped, was found lying in a pool of blood on the floor beside his house just after midnight on Saturday. He had several cut wounds to his head and police noted no forced entry - leading them to believe that he was killed by someone he had been socialising with.
According to Senior Superintendent, Hilberto Romero, Tracy had an argument with his suspected killer just before his death:
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero, Deputy Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch
"On Saturday 22 May, 2021 around 12:25 a.m., police responded to a report that someone was found with chop wounds on New Road in P.G. Police found the body of Marcus Tracy, 60 years old, with several chop wounds to the body. Investigation revealed that the deceased had an altercation with a person earlier that day and thereafter, a person found his body and he was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Several persons are detained and are being questioned in regards to this murder."
Reporter
"Any idea what the nature of the altercation was about?'
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
"They had some conflict and threats were passed."
Reporter
"Was this during a social event?"
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
"With persons that he knew."
Reporter
"So alcohol may have been involved?"
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
"That is possible a factor, yes."
