Raimundo Dos Santos Coimbra, also known as ‘Nigi,’ a Brazilian national and miner, has been charged with the murder of Ovid James, a 37-year-old miner of Princeville, Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
The fatal stabbing occurred on November 26, 2024, at around 7:00h at Nine Miles Backdam, Honey Camp, Middle Mazaruni River.
Police reported that James and Coimbra were both employed by Alister Culpepper, a 41-year-old gold miner.
Charged: Raimundo Dos Santos Coimbra
On the evening of November 25, Culpepper and his workers, including the two men, went to Honey Camp Landing after washing down a dredge operation.
The group spent the night drinking heavily and became intoxicated.
According to Rebecca Anton, a 45-year-old cook and James’ reputed wife, she noticed early Tuesday morning that James was still intoxicated.
She managed to take him back to their camp, where they encountered Coimbra, who was sitting at a table drinking High Wine.
James reportedly joined Coimbra, and an argument quickly broke out between the two men over who was their employer.
During the heated exchange, Coimbra armed himself with a knife and stabbed James in the lower abdomen. James collapsed and died on the spot.
Police arrived at the scene and transported James’ body to the Issano Health Post, where he was pronounced dead.
Following a manhunt, Coimbra was arrested on January 14.
He appeared before Magistrate Teriq Mohammed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Coimbra was not required to plead to the indictable charge of murder and was remanded to prison.
