Families deny saying killing may be gang-related

WCB murders
…Police probing several theories – source

Relatives of murdered Joel and Isaiah Henry have denied saying that the murders of the teens may have been gang-related.
The families, though Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes said that the statements are “completely false.” This gang related comment was also reported in other sections of the media.
However, when contacted, a senior police source close to the investigation told Guyana Times that they were told of the gang-related suspicions and are working on that theory while processing other information and clues at their disposal.
The source again confirmed that the crime scene has been revisited several times.
Meanwhile, on Friday, President Ali visited relatives of the Henry teens and Haresh Singh’s family at Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice.
The relatives stated that they all want to see justice being served and called on others to allow the police to conduct their investigations.
The President assured the parents and relatives of the dead teen and to an extent the residents that he will do everything in his power to make sure justice is served.

Joint Services
On Saturday, Heads of the Joint Services in a combined statement said that they have been informed of the funeral arrangements for the late Joel and Isaiah Henry, and reassured the families, relatives, friends and supporters that they will continue to forge a partnership with them to facilitate the smooth interment of the deceased.
“Important, however, are the successes gained over the last few days and thus commendation to all stakeholders for their support is only befitting. Your efforts and contribution are truly recognised, even as request for your support continues, while tribute is paid to the lives of the late Joel and Isaiah Henry,” the Heads said in their joint statement.
The Guyana Government has reached out to the international community to assist with the investigations.
On September 6, the mutilated bodies of the Henry cousins were found aback Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB). They had left their Number Three Village, WCB home two Fridays ago to pick coconuts in the backdam, but did not return home.
Their butchered bodies were found in clumps of bushes partially covered in mud after relatives went in search of them on Sunday last.
Post-mortem examinations conducted on Wednesday show that the teenagers died from haemorrhage and shock. In the case of 16-year-old Isaiah, he sustained a severed spine between the 2nd and 3rd vertebrae, and a number of chop wounds to his head.
The body of 19-year-old Joel had a total of 18 wounds. He, too, suffered a severed spine between the 1st and 2nd vertebrae. It is believed that after sustaining wounds to the head, he fell to the ground and then got the wound that severed his spine.
Following the gruesome discovery, the police had arrested seven persons, including the owner of an estate upon which bloodstains were found, his son, two coconut vendors, and several employees. Three more persons are also being sought by Police.
The murders have sparked widespread protest action, particularly along the West Coast Berbice corridor, with persons blocking the roads and burning debris while calling for justice.
The situation escalated as protesters blocked traffic along the WCB roadway while robbing, beating and extorting from innocent commuters. Millions of dollars were also lost as vehicles and homes went up in flames.
As the unrest continued, 17-year-old Haresh Singh of Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), was found dead hours after he had left home on his motorcycle to attend his farm in the backdam.
It was reported that the sound of Haresh’s motorcycle stopped along the dam and shortly after, his family members saw a fire blazing on the dam. Suspicious that it was the motorcycle, relatives went to investigate, and discovered the motionless body of the teenager and the torched motorbike.
The teen was bleeding through his nose, and had wounds to his head, ears, neck and hands. According to the family, there was also an “X” on his neck. They then rushed the 17-year-old to the New Amsterdam Hospital, but he succumbed while en route.
It was initially suspected that Singh’s murder was in retaliation for the deaths of Isaiah and Joel since one of his close relatives was among those arrested after the cousin’s murder. Police are still investigating.