CLARENDON, Jamaica — Shock and disbelief now hangs over the community of Springfield in rural Clarendon, after an elderly man was found dead at his house. Murder is suspected.

The body of 79-year-old farmer Lanford Henry was discovered about 2:50 pm on Wednesday after a relative who noticed a change in his routine went in search of him.

Matthew Chambers, who said his uncle always visits his farm early in the morning, thinks thieves may have had something to do with his death.

“Animals are missing from his farm. I can’t say exactly what happened but I think the ram goats may be the cause of it,” he told OBSERVER ONLINE on Thursday.

“The country turn upside down. Imagine you work all you life and retire and enjoy yourself that’s the time people a guh just come and take you life and all you have. I have a lot of uncles but he is my best uncle. The whole community he response for; him no deserve this death,” added Chambers.

According to Councillor Collin Henry (Thompson Town Division, JLP) it is alleged that hoodlums broke into the elderly man’s house prior to his death.

“The police are doing their investigation into this suspected case of murder. It’s a community that we are seeking to build and this is something we don’t want in this area. He is a hardworking farmer and a known deacon in the community. The community is saddened by this act and it’s a sad day for Jamaica when persons can kill an elderly man like this who is a church deacon,” he said.

Henry said support will be provided to the grieving family.

“We are seeking to build this community as we have had major investments recently from JSIF through partnership from MPs Phillip Henriques, Robert Morgan and Councillor Hershell Brown. I am calling on the citizens to reach out to the police if they have any information on this case,” pleaded Henry.