Overseas-based Guyanese dies after altercation with brothers

By La’Wanda McAllister

The death of Ceon Abrams, a 48-year-old Guyanese man living in New York, has left his family devastated and seeking justice after they claimed he was murdered during an altercation on Friday evening at Strath Campbell Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.
The altercation was reportedly among his brothers.
However, according to Kelisha Abrams, the now dead man’s daughter, her father arrived in Guyana about a month ago to look after his businesses. At the time, he was staying at his mother’s home in Mahaicony.

The devasted daughter recounted the events leading up to her father’s death in an emotional interview with Guyana Times. She explained that her father had gone to his brothers’ house on Friday evening to ask for the money that was owed to him but instead, an argument ensued and the situation quickly escalated into a physical altercation.
“They were fighting on the step and the step broke down and one of his brothers went over him and began choking my dad,” Kelisha said. “The other brother came out with a cutlass and said he was going to kill my dad and he [the victim] managed to get out of the choke after some time and run to the road.”
After being allegedly choked for some time, her father ran a short distance and collapsed on the roadside. The young woman explained that in Strath Campbell Mahaicony, it is difficult to get transportation, and it was a passing motorcyclist who saw her father lying on the roadway and offered to transport him to the hospital.
However, her father never made it to the hospital alive. Halfway to Perth Village, Mahaicony, which is one village away from where the fight happened, Ceon reportedly went unconscious and fell off the motorcycle. Shortly after, he was pronounced dead at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital.
Kelisha’s grandmother reportedly called from Guyana to tell them that her father had been in a motorcycle accident, but she said they soon discovered the truth.
“My dad does not know how to ride a motorcycle and he does not make irrational decisions,” Kelisha said. “So, we were very confused and then she said, oh, he got into an argument with his brother and he was trying to get away from him to go to the Police station…”.
“After people started telling us what happened, I called her and told her to tell me the truth and she said he only choked him”, she said.
As the family mourns their loss, they are calling for justice and for the Police to thoroughly investigate the matter. The daughter is convinced that her father’s death was caused by his brothers, whom she alleged are now trying to cover up their crime.
“My dad’s brother killed him and they are trying their best to cover it up! I’m begging the authorities to please not let this happen. I already contacted the United States Embassy so that they can help us out with the investigation. I know the Police in Guyana have judication over the matter but we still contacted them,” Kelisha said.
She described Ceon Abrams as a selfless and devoted father who did everything he could for his family. His wife, with whom he had been together for 30 years, is struggling to come to terms with his death, and his children are also deeply affected.
“I don’t know how to feel, I am a daddy’s girl. My dad did everything for me, he was my world and my whole world got taken away from me. He was the only person I can call on and they changed my life forever. My dad was so selfless and I just don’t know how this can happen to him,” Kelisha cried.
“He did everything for his family.”
As the family continues to grieve, they are calling for justice and for their beloved Ceon to be remembered for the kind, generous, and loving man that he was.