Brazilian national charged in absentia with murder of Venezuelan woman in Guyana’s interior

…warrant issued for his arrest

A Brazilian national has been charged in absentia with the murder of 21-year-old Venezuelan woman, Miguelys Centeno Gerdez, whose February disappearance led to an extensive Police search and the discovery of suspected skeletal remains in Guyana’s interior. The accused, 37-year-old Fernando Teles Pereira of Boa Vista, Brazil, was on Friday charged with the offence of murder, contrary to common law and an arrest warrant was issued. Police allege that Pereira murdered Centeno on February 20, at 9 Mile Trail, Mabura, in Region 10.
Although Pereira was not present in court, the matter was called before Magistrate Rhondel Weaver at the Mackenzie Magistrate’s Court. The case was adjourned to October 22 for report. Police have stated that an application will be made to INTERPOL for a Red Notice to be issued for the fugitive’s arrest.
Centeno was first reported missing on February 20 after she was last seen in Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) boarding a truck driven by Pereira. The young mother of one, who was employed at a bar in Eccles, was last observed wearing a pink striped top with dark blue jeans and was known to wear braces on her teeth.

She had been in the area awaiting transportation when the vehicle of the accused approached. Two weeks after her disappearance, Police ranks on patrol at 9 Mile Trail, Mabura, discovered skeletal remains alongside clothing and personal items matching what Centeno had last been seen wearing. The remains were found with braces on the teeth, consistent with her description. DNA testing is being carried out by the Guyana Forensics Laboratory to confirm the identity.
Initial investigations linked Pereira to the woman’s disappearance and death. In early March, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued a wanted bulletin for him in relation to both abduction and murder. His last known addresses are in Guyana and Brazil. Relatives of Centeno have said that she was not known to have had any prior relationship with the accused. Law enforcement officials are now working with international agencies to locate Pereira and have him extradited to Guyana to face trial.