“I am very, very sorry” – man convicted of ex-wife’s murder tells judge

…court rejects plea for leniency; jailed for 24 years

After nearly six years of legal proceedings, Ryan Sugrim was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Tuesday for the 2019 murder of his ex-wife, Zaila Sugrim. Justice Damone Younge handed down the sentence in the Demerara High Court.
Justice Younge started with a base sentence of 30 years. One year was deducted for mitigating factors, but seven years were added for aggravating circumstances, bringing the total to 36 years. The sentence was then reduced by one-third due to Sugrim’s guilty plea, lowering it to 24 years. After deducting the five years he had already spent on remand, Sugrim was left with 19 years to serve.
On May 11, 2019, Zaila visited Ryan’s home in La Union, West Coast Demerara, to see her children on their son’s birthday. What should have been a routine visit turned into a fatal encounter. According to Sugrim’s statement, an argument broke out when Zaila found suspicious numbers in his phone. He claimed that she grabbed his firearm, threatened to shoot him, and that during a struggle, the weapon discharged, hitting her in the face.

Instead of calling for medical assistance or reporting the incident, Sugrim took immediate steps to cover up the crime. That night, after ensuring his children were asleep, he dragged Zaila’s body to the back of his gas station, where he set it on fire using tires and kerosene. A neighbour noticed the fire and called the fire service, but Sugrim intervened, convincing the neighbor that it was just garbage being burned.
Once the fire subsided, he dug a shallow grave and buried Zaila’s remains in his yard. Over the next few days, he misled family members, lied to his children about their mother’s whereabouts, and attempted to erase any traces of the crime.
By May 12, 2019, Zaila’s children and family grew increasingly concerned. It was Mother’s Day, and she had promised to spend it with her children. On May 13, police arrived at Sugrim’s home and conducted an initial search, but found nothing suspicious inside. However, a more thorough examination of the yard led to the discovery of fresh dirt and burned remains.
Sugrim claimed he had burned garbage and that his children wanted to plant a garden, but as police continued to dig, they unearthed human remains wrapped in cloth. Additional evidence found in his vehicle, including red stains resembling blood, further strengthened suspicions.
DNA testing later confirmed that the remains belonged to Zaila Sugrim. Sugrim was arrested and charged with murder.

No remorse
During sentencing, prosecutor Muntaz Ali argued that Sugrim’s guilty plea did not equate to true remorse. “Remorse is not shown by simply pleading guilty,” Muntaz stated. He further emphasized that the post-mortem report contradicted Sugrim’s claims about how the killing occurred.
Justice Younge also considered the probation report, which revealed a history of domestic abuse. It was noted that Sugrim had physically assaulted Zaila months before her death and that she had been trapped in an abusive relationship.
Victim impact statements from Zaila’s family further illustrated the deep emotional wounds inflicted by her murder. Her sister, Tricia Watson, detailed the lasting trauma faced by Zaila’s children, particularly her teenage son. She described how the boy, once full of life, had since spiraled into behavioral issues, even coming into conflict with the police. She emphasized how Zaila’s murder had left a void in their family that could never be filled.
Mohamed Haniff, Zaila’s brother, also spoke about the devastation their family endured. In his statement, he expressed the profound pain of losing his sister in such a brutal manner. He recounted how their elderly mother had been left in a state of grief and despair, struggling to comprehend the tragic loss.
Additionally, the probation report noted that there were allegations that Sugrim had attempted to escape from prison and he was found in possession of a cell phone while incarcerated, both of which were cited as further aggravating factors.
When given an opportunity to speak, Sugrim locked his eyes tightly as he spoke, maintaining that the killing was not premeditated. “I am very, very sorry. Please accept my apologies,” he said. He claimed that he, too, was grieving and that he had loved Zaila. “I would never do anything to cause her death deliberately,” he insisted, throwing himself “at the mercy of this court.”
His attorney, Dexter Smart, argued for leniency, highlighting that Sugrim had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty, and had already served five years on remand. Smart described Sugrim as a businessman with an education and a history of community involvement. He also pointed out that his children and mother still visited him in prison, stating, “his children already lost one parent. Don’t let them lose another.”
Aggravating factors outweighed
Despite the defense’s appeal for a reduced sentence, Justice Younge ruled that the aggravating factors far outweighed the mitigating ones. She emphasized the severity of the crime, the premeditated nature of the cover-up, and the irreparable harm inflicted on Zaila’s family, especially her children.
She also stated that it was life that was life that was lost, the location of the wound, and the circumstances under which this crime was committed all point to the gravity of this offense.
She also noted that the crime was committed on the couple’s son’s birthday, adding to the emotional distress faced by the children. The court rejected Sugrim’s plea for leniency, concluding that his actions demonstrated a clear disregard for human life.
With the sentencing finalized, Ryan Sugrim will serve the next 19 years behind bars.
Dexter Todd and Dexter Smartt represented the accused, while Muntaz Ali, State Counsel II, and Alvaro Ramoutar appeared on behalf of the state.