Dwight Nelson, Gleaner Writer

The remains of what is believed to be a human body were found in a burnt-out Toyota Camry motor car, in the Old Bowens district of Clarendon yesterday.

The Hayes police made the find just after 1:00 p.m. and, according to their report, they were summoned by residents of the community who came upon the remains.

After a search of the area by the police, the burnt remains of what is believed to be a man were found.

Yesterday, it was rumoured in the parish that the remains were those of One Blood gang leader, Seymour 'Lenky' Smith.

Gang without a leader

The Clarendon gang has been missing its leader for the past three weeks, with alleged reprisals for his disappearance contributing to the spike in the parish's murder rate.

On a previous occasion, when Lenky's body was rumoured to have been found in the Salt River district, 30-year-old Dwight Dohman was subsequently shot dead in an alleged reprisal.

There have been 121 murders in Clarendon this year and more than 16 this month.

According to Constable Beverley Howell of the the Constabulary Communication Network, patrols have been increased since the find and the military has joined forces with the police to ensure the rumours do not lead to an escalation of violence.

It was not clear yesterday when a positive identification of the body would be made.