5 in custody as Police revisits crime scene

Cotton Tree double-murder

…no efforts spared to bring justice – Home Affairs Minister

Three persons have been detained for questioning into the gruesome killing of two teenagers – whose bodies were discovered at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB), on Sunday.
The tortured bodies of cousins: 16-year-old Isiah Henry and 19-year-old Joel Henry, were discovered almost one day after they went missing. They reportedly left on Friday to pick coconuts in the backdam.
At a press conference on Monday, acting Police Commissioner, Nigel Hoppie informed that the three persons detained include the 57-year old man – who was arrested on Sunday evening after bloodstains were found on his estate – along with his son and handyman. Two other persons were also arrested on Monday and remain in custody, this newspaper was told.
Ranks from the Major Crimes Unit would have revisited the scene to comb for additional evidence but the murder weapons are yet to be found. Hoppie insisted that an intensive investigation will be conducted, as the Guyana Police Force probes the dreadful incident from a professional standpoint. He went on to say that the suspects are assisting with the investigation.

The disappearance of the young boys prompted family members to launch several search parties. After hours of searching, the badly chopped bodies were discovered among the bushes and were partially covered in mud.
At the scene on Sunday, Isaiah’s father, Gladstone Henry, noted that “Friday night he tell me that he was going to the backdam, well we get place in the backdam, but I did not know that he would go to other people place.”
The father stated that his wife expressed concern when their son did not return home but he assured his mind that it was normal for the young lad to arrive on his own time. However, Henry said after returning from a funeral on Saturday and his son did not return, he thought something was amiss.
“We left and go to the backdam and we search for him but it was actually night… I know he going and pick coconut because he left with a bar and a cycle,” the dead teen’s father related.

He explained that on Sunday morning, a search party went back to look for the two teens but was unsuccessful. However, the family found peeled coconuts, which was enough evidence to prove that the teens were in the area and as such, a report was made at the police station.
The search party went back and it was then Henry related that he observed a hole that is synonymous to peeling coconuts using an iron bar.
He opined that there is evidence that the murderer(s) were trying to cover their tracks as they attempted to remove the bodies to another location from where the gruesome crime had taken place.
“From what I see is like they move the bodies from where their land is and carry it to another place to frame another person. But because these boys were so strong…there is blood from the dam to the area we found them.”
According to Henry, when he found his son’s body, it had several wounds to the neck and face, and he and could not come up with a reason why someone would want his son dead.
The other teen’s body was discovered a short distance away in a hole, with his face down. At the time, he was still carrying a bag on his back. The bodies were taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital on Sunday.
The incident sparked a series of protest actions throughout the West Coast Berbice corridor that night, which resumed on Monday morning with the blockage of roads and burning of items.

No efforts spared
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn at the press briefing also expressed shock at the events which unfolded, noting that the “countrywide distress, abhorrence and condemnation” were keenly felt.
In this regard, it was positioned that the Force has been tasked with ensuring that justice is served for the grieving families, through a comprehensive investigation.
“The Guyana Police Service is vigorously pursuing its investigations into this crime and is required to spare no lawful effort to bring the perpetrators to justice. These investigations must be complete and thorough,” the Minister assured.
With respect to the protest actions, Benn shared that this will not change what has happened but it will affect safety and security in the community. He urged those persons to remain calm and let the law take its course in punishing those culpable.
“This activity will not aid, but will surely hamper, the overriding issue of resolving this crime expeditiously. The efforts of some agitators will, also, have a similar effect and lead to a general breakdown in public safety and security. I wish to urge all residents of the local communities to act in a manner that is lawful and helpful to the police in aiding their work and in preserving the peace across and between all communities.” (G12)