Schaffter killing still a mystery

By Norman Palihawadane

The CID is investigating an SMS believed to have been sent to the mobile phone of Brian Thomas by Dinesh Schaffter’s killer after the businessman became a victim last Thursday.

Investigations conducted by the CID have revealed that the car in which Dinesh Schaffter travelled had moved directly to the Borella Cemetery from his home on Flower Road on the day he was murdered, last Thursday (15th).

A senior CID officer said that much information had emerged over the murder of Schaffter and that the information is currently being verified.

The CID investigators said they believed that Schaffter had left home around 2.06 pm and that the crime had taken place within half an hour of his departure.

A senior CID official said that further investigations were being conducted to ascertain whether a person got into the car on the way or whether he went to the cemetery to meet someone.

When observing the location of the car entering the cemetery and stopping, it appears that someone who has a good understanding of the Borella Cemetery is involved in this crime, CID sources said.

Thomas had replied to the text message that he had no intention of meeting Schaffter. Police sources revealed that the two phones had been taken into custody by the CID and forwarded to the Computer Forensic Laboratory.

Police spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police Nihal Talduwa said that even the security camera system in Brian Thomas’ house had been examined by the CID.

Thalduwa said that statements had been obtained from 23 persons by the officers of the Organized Crime and Homicide Investigation Division of the CID.

Amon them are several members of Schaffter’s family as well as some employees of the Borella Cemetery.

The SSP said that investigations were being carried out, based on security camera footage, and phone analysis as well as eyewitness evidence.