Schaffter Investigation: CID records 140 statements

COLOMBO (News 1st) - In the latest development surrounding the death of Colombo-based businessman Dinesh Schaffter, the Criminal Investigations Department recorded statements from 140 people.

On Monday (2) Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya permitted to the Criminal Investigations Department to conduct DNA testing using the blood samples, and other body samples of the deceased businessman.

The CID was also granted permission to direct the aforementioned samples, as well as the evidence recovered from the scene to the Government Analyst for DNA testing.

Detectives informed the court that the investigation on the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter have been taken over by the Criminal Investigations Department as per the directive of the Inspector General of Police.

The CID requested the court to call for a Government Analyst Report and a DNA report from the Government Analyst by directing the wire located by the Borella Police at the Crime Scene, the blood stained cloth, Dinesh Schaffter's nails, blood, as well as the evidence recovered by the Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) to determine of the death of the businessman was a murder, or suicide.

The CID had made the request as per Article 124 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

What we know so far:

Schaffter was found strangled in his car at the Borella Public Cemetery on the afternoon of December 15th.

He died later that night after being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the National Hospital.

Dinesh Schaffter was 51-years-old at the time of his passing.

Investigations revealed that businessman Dinesh Schaffter was already brain-dead when he was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital.

Reports produced by the Criminal Investigations Department noted that the businessman was already breathing his last en-route to the hospital.

According to medical records, as soon as Dinesh Schaffter was brought to the hospital doctors had made great attempts to revive his heart, however, those efforts had failed.

However, the postmortem report provided to the CID revealed that Dinesh Schaffter died only by strangulation.

Forensic teams investigating the death of Dinesh Schaffter had found a wire similar to the one that was used to strangle him, and several zip-ties that were used to tie his hands, at his residence.

It is reported that the CID had requested the opinion of the Judicial Medical Officers on the grounds that the death of Dinesh Schaffter was a possible suicide.

The JMOs had noted that as the forensic evidence at the scene were destroyed, it is scientifically impossible to specifically state if Dinesh Shaffter was strangled or whether he committed suicide.

According to reports, Krish Perera, a director at one of Schaffter's companies, had taken the businessman in his car from the Public Cemetery to the hospital in Colombo.

Therefore, as the evidence at the scene was destroyed, it has become difficult to scientifically rule if Dinesh Schaffter was murdered, or was it a suicide.

The wire used to strangle Dinesh Schaffter to the front seat of the car, was found on the back seat.

Expert Medical Examiners note that if the neck of a person is continuously held tight by a wire in such a manner, it blocks the blood circulation to the brain.

Sri Lanka Police said that moments before Dinesh Schaffter died, he had ordered a snack from a restaurant located down Malalasekera Mawatha in Borella.

The postmortem had uncovered the contents of that meal.

However, the postmortem report in possession of the CID notes that Dinesh Schaffter had reached a brain-dead stage between 30 and 40 minutes after he left home that day.

Dinesh Schaffter's wife had told the Borella Police that her husband had left home at 1.55 in the afternoon.

If that time is accurate, Dinesh Schaffter was possibly dead by 2.35 in the afternoon, based on the reports.

However, Former Cricket Commentator Brian Thomas revealed that he received a WhatsApp message from Dinesh Schaffter between 2.42 PM & 2.43 PM.

This raises suspicions whether businessman Dinesh Schaffter was murdered.

Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that detectives are investigating the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter as a homicide and are pursuing multiple leads.

However, detectives are yet to name a suspect.

If that time is accurate, Dinesh Schaffter was possibly dead by 2.35 in the afternoon, based on the reports.

However, Former Cricket Commentator Brian Thomas revealed that he received a WhatsApp message from Dinesh Schaffter between 2.42 PM & 2.43 PM.

This raises suspicions whether businessman Dinesh Schaffter was murdered.

Moreover, Former Cricket commentator Brian Thomas has revealed that at around 2:42 in the afternoon he received a WhatsApp message from Dinesh Schaffter.

This message had read something similar to "I am waiting for you"

Former Cricket commentator Brian Thomas had responded that he did not understand what the message meant, and responded that there is no need to meet.

Former Cricket commentator Brian Thomas also revealed that at around 2:43 in the afternoon he received another WhatsApp Message from Dinesh Schaffter, where the latter had said he deleted all messages as requested.

Brian Thomas had responded to this by Whatsapp, questioning when did he ask Dinesh Schaffter to do so.

According to the Criminal Investigations Department, Dinesh Schaffter was already at the Public Cemetery in Borella by 2:45 in the afternoon.

Former Cricket commentator Brian Thomas suspects that someone else had used Dinesh Schaffter's mobile phone to message him.

Brian Thomas had said that he used to associate Dinesh Schaffter closely at one time and was well aware of his command of English, adding that the style of messaging was different to what he was familiar with.

It was at around 3:30 in the afternoon that Krish Perera had come across an unconscious Dinesh Schaffter.

At 3:55 PM, Dinesh Schaffter was taken to the Colombo National Hospital in his own car and was admitted.

Until then, neither Sri Lanka Police nor Mrs. Schaffter were aware of what had happened to Dinesh Schaffter.

On the 16th of December,  Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela imposed an overseas travel ban on Former Cricket commentator Brian Thomas over the murder of Colombo-based businessman Dinesh Schaffter.

It was reported that Former Cricket commentator Brian Thomas is in possession of two passports, and the overseas travel ban was imposed for both these passports by the court.

The Borella Police making submissions to the court requested for an order to be made on telecommunication service providers to provide a telecommunication analysis report on the mobile device used by the late Dinesh Schaffter.

Detectives are also probing the telephone records of Brian Thomas, Mrs. Schaffter, and a Director of one of Schaffter's companies.

Sri Lanka Police is yet to name a suspect over the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter.

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