Rupununi farmer stabbed to death during row over stolen cattle
Forty-year-old Chardson Ernest of Fly Hill, North Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) was on Thursday stabbed to death during an argument with an uncle over stolen cattle.
Based on reports received, the late Ernest, the 47-year-old suspect, and other relatives were consuming alcohol on Wednesday evening at a street corner some 50 metres away from their home. However, Ernest left for home, leaving the others behind.
The area where the murder occurred
At about 2:00h on Thursday, a heated argument erupted between Ernest and the other two men (brothers) over an accusation that he had stolen their cattle. By 2:30h, Ernest reportedly returned home, and was last seen alive sitting on a bench outside.
Ernest’s nephew was awakened at about 3:30h by Ernest’s cries for help.
Rushing outside, the nephew found him lying on the ground while the suspect was seen fleeing the scene with a knife in his hands.
The nephew reportedly went after the suspect and managed to take the murder weapon away from him. The suspect nevertheless still managed to escape.
Ernest’s body was taken to the Lethem Regional Hospital mortuary to await a post-mortem examination.
