Police yet to find suspect in Bartica woman’s murder

Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Linden Lord on Saturday confirmed to Guyana Times that the police are still on the hunt for a man identified only as “Blackboy” of Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), who is wanted in connection with the death of 28-year-old Rosella Smith of Bamford Point, Bartica.
The now dead woman was found face down by a 23-year-old miner at about 12:30h in an abandoned mining pit at Three Miles Karrau Backdam, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) on May 15.
Commander Lord related that checks were made at several locations including the man’s home to no avail. He nevertheless stated that ranks will continue to pursue the suspect.
“We are still trying to get him. Contacts were made with his relatives and his mom but he is not at home. The house was searched by ranks from my Headquarter here on the East Coast, but so far, we were unable to contact or arrested him. The only person that can help us figure out what happened is him and the deceased because he was the last person that was seen in her company,” he said.
Investigations revealed that when Smith’s camp was visited, it was found to be ransacked and persons related that they saw the man leaving the Backdam with a bag and bucket at about 11:00h on May 15.
She was last seen at about 20:00h on May 14 at her camp in the company of “Blackboy” and according to Police, she was seen laughing and talking with the man.
Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination has revealed that the woman died as a result of strangulation.
At the time when she was found, there were no marks of violence on her body but blood was seen around her nostrils.
Police said at the time of her death, she was selling groceries from a makeshift camp.
Investigations are ongoing.