22-year-old admits to killing former DJ 

Dwayne Thomas, a 22-year-old resident of Laluni Village along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, has admitted responsibility for the death of 28-year-old Brian Pitam, popularly known as “DJ Viper”. Thomas, who was initially charged with murder, opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter when he appeared before acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court. He is being represented by Attorney Madan Kissoon.
Sentencing has been scheduled for November 19, 2025. The matter is being prosecuted by State Counsel Simran Gajraj, State Counsel Christopher Belfield, and State Counsel Geneva Wills.
According to the facts presented to the court, Pitam, a former employee of Kaieteur Radio, had been attending a birthday celebration at a relative’s home in Laluni when the fatal attack took place. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) reported that Pitam, who resided at Lot 441 Goed Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was at the gathering with his father-in-law, a 51-year-old truck driver.
Investigators said that the incident unfolded around 21:00h when three men confronted Pitam’s father-in-law at a nearby shop, striking him in the face. Pitam attempted to shield him, but in doing so, he was attacked and chopped multiple times about his body. The assailants then reportedly fled the scene on motorcycles, and Police were unable to determine their direction of escape.
The injuries Pitam sustained were severe; his left thumb, index, and middle fingers, as well as his wrist, were reportedly severed, and he suffered a deep chop wound to the back of his neck.
Public-spirited persons transported him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Following the killing, Police apprehended one of the suspects connected to the attack.