Five persons remain in custody, following the discovery of the body of German national Peter Taut around 4.30 p.m. in a shallow grave on Sunday. This brings the murder toll in Tobago to 11.

Four adults and three children were on the compound of Taut’s Bacolet Crescent residence. However, a 13-year-old remains in police custody while a two and a three-year-old were later released into the care of their relatives.

Taut had lived in Tobago for the past nine years. Beefing up the investigations of the Tobago police are four officials from the Special Anti-Crime Unit (SAUTT) who flew to Tobago Sunday night. Assistant Commissioner of Police Tobago Allan Crooks said all possible leads are being followed. A gold BMW which was parked in the driveway, of the #66 Bacolet Crescent home, is also engaging the attention of the police. An autopsy is to be conducted, to determine the cause of death.

A backhoe had to be used to retrieve Taut’s corpse from the grave. His hands and feet were bound, he lay face down and he was also gagged. A stone was found to the back of his head and reports state that he may have been buried some two hours before he was found. The body was dressed in white T-shirt, and blue and white boxers.

Yesterday a friend of Taut remained in shock over his death. The friend said Taut was also his client, as his home was up for sale for $2.8 million. His friend told the Express Taut’s murder would have stemmed from death threats and the sale of his home.

’I was shocked when I heard it. I could not believe it because the Greenes were friends of mine too, and when I heard and I saw it on the news I was also shocked,’ he said.

The incident occurred mere metres away from the home of British couple Peter and Murium Greene, who were viciously attacked on August 1 at Bacolet Crescent. Taut’s friend yesterday called on the authorities to stop the talk-shop and put more strict measures in place to deal with criminals.

Tourism Secretary Oswald Williams said yesterday the THA strongly condemns the murder of the German tourist. He said there are plans to install further cameras at crime hot spots in Tobago. Cameras have since been installed around Scarborough and environs.

’A number of cameras would be strategically placed. The process now is entrained and we are trying to determine or working on determining, where the best locations are,’ Williams said.

Meanwhile president of the Hotel and Tourism Association Carol Ann Birchwood James said while the murder of the German tourist was sad and tragic, she was comforted that the police have detained persons in connection with the matter. She is however calling on residents to continue to look out for one another.

’This is a case where community vigilance has paid off, and has helped in the capture of those people in custody,’ she said.