Lima Sands man found dead, murder suspected

– friend arrested as Police launch murder probe

Police in Regional Division Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are investigating the alleged murder of a 46-year-old labourer whose body was discovered early Saturday morning along the Lima Sands Public Road, Essequibo Coast.
The deceased has been identified as Gary Melville, of Lima Sands, who reportedly died sometime between 20:00h on Friday June 27 and 05:30h on Saturday, June 28.
A 23-year-old farmer, who is said to be known to the victim, has since been arrested and taken into custody.
According to reports, Melville and the suspect were friends and residents of the same village. Police were informed by a female shopkeeper that the two men, along with others were consuming alcohol at her business place on Friday evening. She said the suspect was drinking high wine, while Melville was drinking 592 beers.
During the drinking session, the shopkeeper recalled overhearing the suspect accusing Melville of burning him with a cigarette. An altercation reportedly ensued, during which the suspect sustained a head injury and Melville fell to the ground. A female patron then intervened and separated the two.
Melville subsequently left the shop on foot, heading north, while the suspect departed about ten minutes later on his motorcycle, heading in the same direction.
At approximately 05:30h on Saturday, a 48-year-old woman who was walking along the Lima Sands Public Road discovered Melville’s body lying motionless on the eastern side of the road. She immediately raised an alarm and contacted the Police.
Ranks who responded to the scene observed visible injuries to the deceased’s body, including wounds to the back of both hands, right knee, both feet and his face. Melville was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body was subsequently transported to the Suddie Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
The suspect, who was found with injuries to his hand, head, and knee was arrested and escorted to the Oscar Joseph District Hospital, where he received treatment before being returned to Police custody.