Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the ghastly murder of 18-year-old Qualfon receptionist Raynelle Benfield.
Benfield, of Lot 99 Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was discovered dead in a cemetery in her home village, with her face completely disfigured. Residents made the discovery after 07:00h on Monday.
Her hands were resting on her chest while the pair of jeans she was wearing was pulled to her knees.
Murdered: Raynelle Benfield
Guyana Times was told that the teen left home on Saturday morning for work and after she did not return home that evening, her relatives were under the impression that she was working overtime. However, much to their dismay, they received a call informing them that her body was found in the cemetery.
Investigators are working on the theory that the teen might have been sexually assaulted before her face was bashed in with a heavy object, believed to be a stone. The teen’s relatives were questioned by investigators about her social life and acquaintances. Police later in the day visited the homes of several young men in the area who are believed to be members of a gang.
However, as relatives attempted to speak to the media about the incident, they were cautioned against this by the Police.
This newspaper could not have confirmed if the teen used the company’s transportation or public transport to go home.
However, Police later confirmed that a total of five persons were currently in custody, including Benfield’s boyfriend. Reports reaching this publication indicated that the boyfriend, a suspected gang member, dated a female relative of Benfield sometime in the recent past and a fallout occurred over this issue.
Investigations into the brutal murder are ongoing as Police continue to gather more information.
