Killer in Highway murders not licenced firearm holder – Police

The man who fatally shot his reputed wife and several members of her family before taking his life, was not the holder of a firearm license, according to the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
On Wednesday night, Parmanand Ramdehol shot and killed his 26-year-old reputed wife, Maline LaCruz; her mother, 50-year-old Waveney LaCruz, and younger sister, 16-year-old SueAnn LaCruz at their Ideal Road, Waiakabra home on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
Maline’s 23-year-old brother, Seon LaCruz, survived his gunshot injuries and is currently hospitalised in stable condition.
Having confirmed that the suspect was not a licensed firearm holder, the police said that the weapon has since been sent to the ‘Ballistic Section’ to be analyzed, as investigations continue.

Additionally, a search was conducted at the suspect’s West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, home but nothing illegal was found.
This revelation comes just one day after Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo called for a proper investigation into what he described as the “senseless” killing of the LaCruz women.
“I hope that in the investigations that will follow, we will get answers here too,” he said during his press conference on Thursday afternoon.
The Vice President had raised questions about whether Ramdehol was the firearm was legal or illegal, stating that in the former’s case, then the weapon should have been lodged after the man was charged.
The former couple had been together for over six years and shared two kids, ages 3 and 5, while the woman had a 9-year-old child from a previous relationship. Based on reports, Ramdehol was abusive and at the time of the murders, the couple was separated.
In fact, Maline had previously attempted to leave the suspect but he found her at a hotel with their children, and dragged her out. He was subsequently charged on January 9, 2025, for wounding and threatening the woman, and was initially remanded to prison, but was recently granted bail.
In fact, he had a court appearance earlier on Wednesday – the same day he committed the murders.
A neighbour had told the police that she, along with Maline, her sister and children, were at the Soesdyke Junction on Wednesday night when the suspect showed up. The women then left and went home but were followed by Ramdehol, who arrived at the house just before 21:10h.
According to a police statement on Friday, nearby CCTV footage showed the suspect arriving at the LaCruz’s home on a motorcycle. He then followed Maline into the house.
“An argument was overheard on the audio from the CCTV footage, followed by several loud explosions. It also showed the suspect at a western door and when he drank something from a bottle, and immediately fell to the ground,” the police say.
It was previously reported that a small uncorked bottle that emitted a noxious smell and a 9mm APX Baretta pistol were found next to the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.
Back in January, Maline had shared footage on social media of her being dragged out of a hotel by Ramdehol after attempting to leave the abusive relationship.
In the January 9, 2025, Facebook post, Maline said “6yrs 7months living with this individual and this is what I have to face even tho I ran for my life he keeps coming after me. He keeps abusing me mentally, emotionally, physically and verbally. At this point this is my last option to get help and to get out of this abusive relationship and to get my children away from him.”
Meanwhile, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, met with the surviving members of the LaCruz family on Thursday afternoon and committed to covering the funeral expenses of the three women as well as offer counselling support especially for the children.