The Port Antonio police are investigating the circumstances in which a taxi operator known only as 'Shorty' was found hanging by a length of rope from a tree at Passley Gardens, Portland, yesterday.

The discovery was made by a fisherman returning from sea about 9:30 a.m.

Police said that the deceased once lived with his child's mother at Passley Garden, but moved to Anchovy Gardens after the relationship went sour. The relationship was reportedly rekindled some months ago, but again went sour after the woman allegedly found a second partner, the police said.

A woman, who identified herself as a niece of the deceased, wept bitterly at the Port Antonio Police Station. She told THE STAR her uncle was very depressed after losing his girlfriend a second time.

The deceased was last seen about 8:45 p.m. on Saturday playing cards with friends in a building at West Street in Port Antonio.