A 25-year-old man is now in Police custody after he beheaded his sister’s reputed husband in the wee hours of Monday at the family’s Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) residence.
Dead is 39-year-old Justin Peterkin of Paradise, East Coast Demerara (ECD) while the suspect was identified as Anthony King.
Based on information received, the horrific incident occurred at Lot 1323 Block Y, Grove, EBD about 08:20h on Monday.
When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, there was blood splatter about the house and in sections of the yard.
Father of the suspect, David King, explained that only his daughter resided at the
The Grove, East Bank Demerara house where the murder took place
house as she and Peterkin lived separately. He said that his son also visited the house on Monday. According to the man, nothing was amiss since there was never any altercation between the two.
A neighbour, Daniel Boutrim, recalled that he ventured outside of his house and subsequently spotted the suspect, who was holding a hammer and appeared very “nervous”.
“When I go outside, I spin around and I see a man stand up and breathing hard. I think to myself that it look suspicious. When I look back again and see, he had a hammer in he hand,” said the neighbour.
The suspect then entered the house, and Boutrim said he then heard a “knocking” sound, which prompted him to check again to see what was happening.
He said to his shock, he saw Peterkin’s motionless body lying on the ground. His brother-in-law was hovering over him, using a knife and hammer to sever his head.
“When I peep, I see he chopping away on the man head down here with a kitchen chopper and lashing the hammer on the knife,” Boutrim recalled.
After finishing the act, the suspect reportedly left the yard and proceeded towards the street with the two weapons in hand. The neighbour said he chased the assailant and stopped two vehicles that were approaching, alerting them of what had transpired. He said by that time the Police arrived and immediately took King into custody.
“He left the yard and I go behind he. He go out the road and I stop two vehicle and I tell them that this man just kill another man … By then, the Police come and he put down the hammer and the knife and they carry the man to the station.”
By that time, Peterkin had succumbed to his injuries and his body was taken to the mortuary. His reputed wife, Cassandra King, arrived after hearing the news and was inconsolable.
This publication understands that Peterkin was an electrician and was visiting the area to conduct some business. Although he and Cassandra lived separately, the couple had two children together.
Relatives were unable to say what could have caused the tragic episode, even as Police continue their investigations.
