GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

The community of Spaldings, on the border of Manchester and Clarendon, is now in mourning following the tragic death of well-known retired superintendent of police Excel Dias.

Dias, 76, a justice of the peace for the parish of Manchester, who served the Jamaica Constabulary Force for more than 35 years, was found lying in a pool of blood in his yard at Spaldings, by a curious passer-by at about 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Spaldings police, who are investigating, reported that the passer-by became curious when Dias's burgundy Honda Accord was caught speeding out of Dias's yard at the time in question. The police said this was unusual for Dias, who was known as an individual who drove extremely slow.

This caused the passer-by to go to the yard to see what could have possibly caused the car to speed from the premises. The police reported that upon reaching the gate, the gruesome discovery was made. Dias' body had several cuts to the face, the throat slashed and stab wounds to the chest.

In the meantime, the police are continuing their investigations.