PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – A 25-year-old Jamaican man has been charged with the murder of businessman Sterling Francois, in Trinidad, whose bloodied body was found inside his home last month.

The Jamaican, Deandre Markland, appeared in court earlier this week, and the matter was adjourned to October 30 for a status hearing.

Markland, who was arrested on June 26, was charged on July 4 by the police following legal advice from the country’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard.

The police report that Francois, 45, was found dead at his home on June 20 after a relative, concerned when repeated calls went unanswered, went to check on him.

The relative found the front door closed but unlocked and discovered blood-stained footprints inside the house before finding Francois lying face down, naked and covered in blood, at the top of a staircase.

Investigators found blood-stained footprints and blood splatter throughout the house and recovered a machete believed to be the murder weapon, along with a plastic cup suspected to have been used by the killer.

Police later established that Francois had returned home around 8:40 pm on June 19 with a male companion after leaving earlier that evening in his black Chevrolet Colorado pickup.

The visitor was reportedly seen leaving the house shortly after midnight, carrying a knapsack, before boarding a brown 4×4 pickup that drove away from the area.

Relatives also reported that several items were missing from the house, including Francois’ iPhone, laptop, PlayStation and wallet.

Francois owned several businesses, including an auto rental company.