Man commits suicide months after setting home on fire

An abusive relationship ended in tragedy on Wednesday evening when 52-year-old Rampersaud Seepersaud of Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara committed suicide, just two days after being discharged from the hospital where he had been admitted for treatment for the injuries he had sustained when he allegedly set his home on fire.

Seepersaud reportedly took his own life following a series of tragic events that unfolded in the past three months. Two months ago, on February 14, the father of two had set his home on fire after a prolonged domestic fight with his wife. During that fire, he had sustained several bodily injuries that required him being admitted to the hospital for treatment. Two days after being discharged from that institution on Easter Monday, the man allegedly consumed a poisonous substance that resulted in his demise.
Guyana Times visited the home of Seepersaud’s sister-in-law Susan Mootoo, where his wife, Sandra Seepersaud, explained what had transpired. She explained that they had been leading a normal married life up until a few years ago, when the man became abusive. This had forced her to ingest kerosene earlier this year, for which she had been hospitalised for more than a week.
When released from medical care, she had sought refuge at her brother’s residence, and did not return home. This act had enraged her husband, who allegedly set their home ablaze on Valentine’s Day. He had sustained severe burn injuries about his body in that fire, and had been confined to the hospital until recently.
She said Seepersaud had begun to occupy the abandoned residence of his deceased father after his release from hospital on Easter Monday; and she was later informed by her sister that he had committed suicide on Wednesday evening.
Susan Mootoo also detailed to this newspaper the history of the Seepersauds’ abusive relationship. Mootoo pointed out that her sister and two children had been subjected to domestic violence for close to 15 years.
She related that Seepersaud had been seen returning to his father’s abandoned home, which is within the same street, at about 17:00h on Wednesday. Shortly after, he was heard screaming and vomiting. Neighbours rushed to his assistance, and alerted his brother, who later arrived only to discover Seepersaud’s dead body.
Mootoo indicated that before he developed an interest in alcohol, Rampersaud Seepersaud had been a skilful builder who had been handy in crafting furniture. She posited that his alcohol addiction had resulted in him engaging in outbursts that became intolerable and had led to the disintegration of his family. She also said she believes Seepersaud was attempting to end his life when he had set his home on fire.
A police investigation has been launched into the matter, and an autopsy to confirm Seepersaud’s cause of death is to be conducted today.