HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION: ONIKA LOCARIO BEATEN AND DUMPED ALONG NORTH COAST ROAD

“A Brutal Act: Community Seeks Answers After Diego Martin Mother is Found Near Maracas”

MARAVAL, TRINIDAD — A “shining light” from the community of Diego Martin has been tragically extinguished. On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, a post-mortem examination at the Forensic Science Centre confirmed that Onika Locario died from blunt force trauma to the head, concluding that she was beaten to death before her body was abandoned.

The Discovery: April 1, 2026

The incident began on the night of Wednesday, April 1, when a quiet stretch of the North Coast Road became a crime scene.

• The Call: At approximately 10:44 PM, officers responded to reports of a body lying near an agro shop along the Maracas stretch of the roadway.

• The Scene: First responders found Onika dressed in a black skirt, a brown cardigan, and cream-colored Crocs. While she appeared to be foaming from the mouth and nose—initial signs that some thought indicated poisoning—there were no immediately visible external injuries under the night sky.

• The Identification: A distinctive tattoo on her left forearm helped loved ones and authorities confirm her identity shortly after the discovery.

The Autopsy: A Shift to Murder

The “unexplained” nature of her death was stripped away during the autopsy conducted one week later.

• The Cause of Death: Medical examiners determined the cause of death was massive trauma to the head, indicating a violent physical assault.

• The Theory: Homicide investigators believe Onika was killed at a different location by a man known to her. Her body was then allegedly transported and “dumped” from a vehicle at the Maraval site to distance the killer from the crime.

• Disturbing Details: Police noted that the victim was found partially disrobed, a detail that has added a layer of “heinous” cruelty to the investigation as detectives look into potential sexual overtones of the assault.

“Onika was a vibrant person, a mother, and a daughter. To be beaten and discarded like trash on the side of the road is a senseless act that has left this entire family shattered.” — Family Spokesperson

Status of the Investigation

The Homicide Bureau of Investigations (Region I) is leading the search for the perpetrator.

• Key Suspects: Detectives are currently focusing on a “person of interest”—a male acquaintance with whom Onika was reportedly seen prior to her disappearance.

• Evidence Gathering: Police are canvassing the Diego Martin and Maraval areas for CCTV footage that may have captured a vehicle stopping along the North Coast Road around the 10:00 PM hour on April 1.

A Community in Mourning

Tributes have flooded social media from friends in Diego Martin, describing Onika as a woman who always tried to provide for her family. Her death has renewed urgent conversations in Trinidad and Tobago regarding violence against women and the safety of the nation’s roadways.

How You Can Help

Authorities are urging anyone who was traveling along the North Coast Road between 9:30 PM and 11:00 PM on Wednesday, April 1, to come forward.

• Contact: Homicide Bureau of Investigations (Region I)

• Phone: 800-TIPS (8477) or 555

• Anonymous: Information can be provided via the TTPS App or any police station.

In Loving Memory: We stand with the Locario family as they seek the truth. May Onika rest in eternal peace, and may those responsible for this “senseless” tragedy be brought to swift justice.

If you or someone you know is facing domestic conflict, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline of Trinidad and Tobago at 800-SAVE (7283).