Gold miner found chopped to death at Issano camp; two in custody

A 55-year-old gold miner was found brutally chopped to death at a mining camp at 14 Miles Issano, Middle Mazaruni River, during the early hours of Saturday. The dead man has been identified as John José Marciano, also known as “José,” of One Mile, Wismar, Linden. The incident reportedly occurred around 03:45 hrs on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Preliminary investigations revealed that Marciano was at his mining camp when an incident occurred. He was later discovered slouched on the ground within the camp, suffering from multiple chop wounds about his body. A cutlass believed to be the murder weapon was recovered in close proximity to the body. Up until the time the report was released, police said the body would be escorted to the Bartica Regional Hospital for an official pronouncement of death and would thereafter await a post-mortem examination.

However, it was also reported that two persons are currently in custody in connection with the incident. Among them is a 35-year-old female cook of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD) who is assisting investigators. Additionally, a 19-year-old gold miner of Tapakuma, Essequibo Coast was arrested in Anna Regina, Region Two, at about 07:45h on Sunday, following information received. He remains in custody as investigations continue. This incident comes more than two months after Samuel Marciano, a 22-year-old miner from One Mile, Wismar, Linden, was shot multiple times at 14 Miles, Issano Landing, Middle Mazaruni during a social gathering. Police reported that Marciano was shot by two known individuals. Some time later, Mike Caesar, called “Lil Man” and “Spanish Man”, a 27-year-old gold miner of Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, Linden, were charged in connection with the murder.