Relatives mourn Arima fireman, but grateful for closure

Bruce Lezama -

The family of Fire Officer Bruce Lezama is grappling with the events that led to his death, after hopes for his safe return were shattered with the discovery of his body on the morning of December 30.

Lezama, 47, an ambulance driver with the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service, was last seen on Christmas Day. He failed to report for duty on December 27, raising concerns among colleagues and relatives.

CCTV footage at his home showed he was attacked by two assailants and taken away in his own vehicle, which was later found abandoned.

A search was launched shortly after, culminating in the grim discovery on December 30.

His body was found off the Arima Old Road, at the three-mile mark, by fellow fire officers who had organised and carried out an overnight search. The discovery brought an end to days of anxious waiting for his family and friends.

The Fire Services Association Second Division on December 29 said it was "gravely concerned" by his disappearance.

Speaking anonymously to Newsday shortly after the discovery, a relative described the family’s emotional state as one of shock and disbelief.

“Right now, I really don’t know. Everybody is in the wrong mood. Some of them were at the site searching for him this morning. I really don’t have a clue how to process this.”

Police said worried relatives went to Lezama’s home at Andy Estate, off the Eastern Bypass Road, Arima, on December 28. There, they found his front gate and front door open, but there was no sign of him. Repeated calls to his cellphone went unanswered.

Lezama lived alone and had no children. He was attached to the Ambulance Section North and was based at the Northern Division headquarters on Wrightson Road, Port of Spain. Colleagues described him as quiet, professional, and dedicated to his work.

Asked what message, if any, he would give to those responsible for Lezama’s death, the relative struggled to find the words.

“Right now, I don’t know how you even have words: if I did, it might be a little obscene.”

The relative also expressed gratitude to members of the Hunters Search and Rescue Team, led by Shamsudeen Ayube, and fire officers who assisted in the search effort. He said he spoke with Ayube moments after the body was found.

“I thanked him and all those who volunteered,” the relative said. “Now we can actually put this to rest in a few days. A lot of people lose loved ones and never find them, or they find them and never know what happened. I don’t even have the words to express how thankful we are.”

Despite the discovery, the family remains baffled by the circumstances surrounding Lezama’s abduction and death. The relative said they were not given any official word from police on the cause of death.

In a statement signed by its president, Keon Guy, the Fire Service Association Second Division also confirmed Lezama’s death and described the development as devastating.

“The Fire Service Association Second Division regrets to advise members and the national community that, during an early search conducted by a small group of fire officers and relatives, a deceased male was discovered in connection with the ongoing matter involving Fire Officer #4107, Lezama, attached to the Ambulance Section North,” the statement said.

It said while official identification has not yet been completed, the circumstances strongly indicate Lezama "is our missing colleague", and the matter is now fully under the control of the police service.

The association said in light of the discovery, all co-ordinated search operations had been suspended. It extended condolences to Lezama’s family and colleagues and said it was providing support to those affected.

“This is an extremely distressing development for the family, colleagues, and the wider fire service fraternity,” the statement added. “Further updates will be provided as confirmed information becomes available.”

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles extended condolences to Lezama’s family while speaking at an opposition media briefing held on the same day his body was found.

Beckles said she knew Lezama personally and spoke in her capacity as the MP for the constituency in which he lived and where his body was discovered.

“I know, Mr Lezama. The unfortunate thing is I spoke earlier about the state of emergency, and notwithstanding what this government indicated, that there would be a drastic reduction in crime and murder, we continue to see these horrific incidents.”

Beckles said CCTV footage had captured Lezama being abducted, followed by the withdrawal of money from his bank account and the subsequent disposal of his body.

She also extended condolences to the family of Gideon Smart, 9, who died in a separate incident after a van transporting construction materials reportedly lost control and crashed into his yard in Arouca, pinning him against a neighbour’s staircase. Smart was said to have died almost instantly on December 29.

Additionally, Beckles addressed a double murder that occurred in Seasme Drive, Pinto, Arima, on Christmas morning. In that incident, gunmen opened fire on a family shortly before 6 am, killing 23-year-old Dijon Cottoy and 14-year-old Fadius Malchan. Malchan’s eight-year-old brother was also shot but survived the attack.