Fisherman remanded for killing Upper Berbice River pensioner

Ethehelbert Sauers, also known as “Berty”, a 48-year-old fisherman from De Veldt Village, Berbice River, was on Friday remanded to prison for the unlawful killing of a Berbice pensioner.
Sauers appeared at the Albion Magistrates Court before Magistrate Michelle Matthias who read the capital charge to him.

He was not required to plea to the charge which states that between Friday, October 10, and Sunday, October 12, 2025, at De Veldt Village, he murdered 68-year-old Cledwin Gordon, also known as “Smokey”.
Sauers will have to return to court on November 17, 2025 when the matter comes up again. On that day the police will be expected to present the court with a report on the progress on the investigation.
Police in a release had stated that on Friday, October 10, 2025, the accused and the deceased were at a residence in DeVeldt Village, consuming high wine and appearing to be intoxicated. An argument ensued between them, during which the accused allegedly struck the deceased on the left side of his collarbone, causing visible bleeding.

Later that same day, while they were in the victim’s boat, another argument broke out. During this confrontation, Sauers picked up Gordon’s cutlass and struck him to the neck, causing him to fall into the boat. Seeing that the Gordon was still moving, Sauers is alleged to have then lifted him and throw him into the river before proceeding to a family members’ location. The matter was reported to the police, leading to an investigation.
The following day police ranks visited DeVeldt Village, Berbice River following reports that Gordon had gone missing after reportedly being involved in an altercation with another villager.
During the visit several residents were interviewed and as a result of information received, a cutlass alleged to have been used during the altercation was recovered. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody and the cutlass was lodged as evidence.
On Sunday the body of Cledwin Gordon was discovered floating in the Berbice River in the vicinity of DeVeldt Village. The body was retrieved and examined by investigators after which it was escorted to the Bath Settlement Regional Hospital where it was pronounced dead.