Man Found Dead in Ozone Park

By Patricia Adams

A homicide investigation is underway into the death of 58-year-old Brooklyn man whose lifeless body was found in front of 89-12 Arion Road in Ozone Park early Tuesday morning.

The last time Ramnarin Matadin, a naturalized citizen from Guyana, was seen alive was when he left the Golden Arrow Sports Bar at 107-14 101st Avenue after a bartender called a livery cab for him late Monday evening.

Police from the 106th Precinct say the victim was found unconscious after 1 a.m. following a 911 call reporting a man lying on the ground. Emergency Medical Services took him to Jamaica Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He had been bludgeoned about the head and face and had multiple lacerations on his hands and arms.

Matadin’s daughter and other family members paid a visit to the scene where three candles had been placed on the bloody pavement where he was found. They spoke of him as a good man with no enemies. Most voiced their opinions that he had been robbed.

Neighbors who gathered outside their homes say that although this is a quiet, good neighborhood they all have concerns with the shadowy and dark dead end at Arion Road. Joe L. has lived on the block for the last 24 years. “Many people call the cops about the kids hanging out on the street. It’s so dark there anything could happen,” he said, “look what’s happened now.”

Another neighbor, Carmela Strika, echoed the same concerns. “This is very scary. I was in my house with the A/C on so you can’t hear anything. The other problem is that it is so dark there -- very, very dark.”

Police are unsure yet as to whether Matadin was killed at the scene or if his body was dumped there. They are hoping to get more definitive information from videotape surveillance from neighbor’s cameras. One motive being considered is robbery--his family says the dead man’s jewelry and wallet were stolen.

On Wednesday a police source confirmed that two men have been charged in the murder. A published report identified the suspects as 21-year-old Deevan Jagnarine and 19-year-old Alex Gobardhan.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stopper Hotline at 1.800.577.TIPS or visit nypd- crimestoppers.com