US national death: Consulate team in Goa to oversee probe

A team from the US consulate in Mumbai has arrived in Goa to oversee the probe into the death of an American national in the coastal state earlier this week.

The team visited Pernem police station which is probing the death of 30-year-old Caitanya Lila Holt and also went to the spot where he was found dead.

"The US Consulate officials were briefed about the investigation. They will also be present in Goa Medical College when postmortem on the body of Holt would be performed," Umesh Gaonkar, Superintendent of Police (North), told PTI.

He said though the investigation into what actually happened before Holt fell in the field is still on, the preliminary inquiry has shown that the crowd had mistaken him to be a thief.

Earlier police had confirmed that Holt died after falling in the field when he was running to save himself from an irate mob which was chasing him in the village of Korgao on January 12. The US Consulate had said that it was in touch with the family of the American tourist who died in Goa two days ago.

"I can confirm that we are aware of this case. Our consular staff has been in contact with the family and is actively working with the Indian government and police officials," Heidi Hattenbach, spokesperson of the US Consulate General in Mumbai, had said in a statement.