Soesdyke-Linden Highway murders: Killer out on bail for abuse dies by suicide after fatally shooting wife, 2 in-laws; injuring another
…as Pres Ali ramps up fight against domestic violence
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The man who opened fire on his reputed wife and members of her family at their home at Waiakabra, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, on Wednesday evening was out on bail after being charged for abusing the mother of three.
Dead: Maline LaCruz and Parmanand Ramdehol at their August 2024 wedding
Parmanand Ramdehol shot and killed his reputed wife, 26-year-old Maline LaCruz, who received injuries to the right breast, left and right side back, and to the throat.
Also killed were Maline’s 50-year-old mother Waveney LaCruz, who was shot to the left side of her head, left breast, and right hand; and her 16-year-old sister SueAnn LaCruz, who received gunshot injuries to her left breast, right side back, and centre of the lower back.
Maline’s brother, 23-year-old Seon LaCruz, was also injured to his left shoulder and jaw during the ordeal. He is currently at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) in critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery.
The incident occurred at about 21:10h on Wednesday at the LaCruzes’ Ideal Road, Waiakabra home on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
Shooting
The couple shared two children, aged 3 and 5, while the woman had a 9-year-old child from a previous relationship. Based on reports, Ramdehol was an abusive partner, and at the time of the murders, these two persons had been separated.
A neighbour told the police that, earlier on Wednesday, she had accompanied Maline, her sister and three children to a creek along the Linden Highway, after which they left for the Soesdyke Junction. While there, Ramdehol showed up on his motorcycle (registration number unknown), and so the women decided to return home.
Parmanand Ramdehol caught on CCTV footage dragging Maline LaCruz out of a hotel into his car on the night of January 8, 2025
However, Ramdehol followed them, and arrived shortly after, going into the house where the other family members were present.
The neighbour recalled hearing Ramdehol and Malinie arguing, followed by several loud explosions that sounded like gunshots, and so she took the children and ran from the house.
Police from Timehri were summoned, and upon arriving at the scene, Ramdehol was found lying inside the house next to the front door, with a small uncorked bottle that emitted a noxious smell. A 9mm APX Baretta pistol with serial number A007242X, along with five live rounds in the magazine and one in the breach, were found next to the suspect.
The scene was processed, and seven 9mm spent shells, two warheads, and four pieces of metal fragments were recovered. The firearm, ammunition, spent shells, and metal fragments were packaged, marked, and lodged at the Timehri Police Station.
The suspect and the injured brother were escorted to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where Ramdehol was pronounced dead. Seon LaCruz was later transferred to the GPHC for further treatment.
Maline, Waveney and SueAnn LaCruz were also escorted to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where they were pronounced dead. The bodies were later escorted to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home to await post-mortem examinations.
Outside the home, persons from the community gathered and watched on as the bodies of the three women were taken way. Among them was the father of 16-year-old SueAnn.
“A man come from nowhere and kill out all them women, and we can’t see them… We need justice in Waiakabra – Ideal Road!” the visibly upset father shouted.
Suspect’s abusive history
The scene was cordoned off on Wednesday night, and remained under police guard as investigations continued.
But up to Thursday morning, the police could not say whether Ramdehol was licensed to carry a firearm.
However, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has said the Government expects a proper investigation into what he described as the “senseless” killing of the LaCruz women.
“I hope that in the investigations that will follow, we will get answers here, too,” he said during his press conference on Thursday afternoon.
According to Jagdeo, “…this person who committed suicide, who got bail for assaulting – and I gather it was brutal assault of his wife before – he used a firearm to kill members of the LaCruz family. So, we have to find out… whether this is an illegal firearm or a legal firearm. Because if he had a legal firearm, after the assault [charge], you’re supposed to have lodged the firearm. He should not have been in possession of the firearm,” the Vice President pointed out.
On January 9, 2025, police arrested and charged Ramdehol for wounding and threats committed on Maline LaCruz. He was initially remanded to prison, but was subsequently granted bail. In fact, earlier on Wednesday, the matter was called up in court and adjourned to another date.
Back in January, Maline had shared footage on social media of Ramdehol dragging her out of a hotel after she had attempted to leave the abusive relationship. The couple’s two young children had also been at the hotel, and were heard screaming along with the woman.
In the January 9, 2025 Facebook post, Maline said “6yrs 7months living with this individual and this is what I have to face even tho I ran for my life he keeps coming after me. He keeps abusing me mentally, emotionally, physically and verbally. At this point this is my last option to get help and to get out of this abusive relationship and to get my children away from him.”
Support for family members
Meanwhile, on Thursday afternoon, Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud met with members of the bereaved LaCruz family. Recognising the immense emotional and psychological burdens they now face, the Minister assured the family of her Ministry’s unwavering support through a series of immediate and ongoing interventions. In fact, the Ministry has committed to fully cover the funeral expenses of the LaCruz women. Further, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) would be actively involved in ensuring the comprehensive well-being of the surviving children, addressing their immediate needs and providing a safe and nurturing environment for them. Additionally, professional counseling services would be readily available to the children and other affected family members, given the significant psychological impact of this tragedy.
“This support aims to provide a safe space for healing and to navigate the complex emotions associated with such a devastating loss,” the Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
Tackling domestic violence
Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali has also expressed the grave concern his administration has about the prevalence of domestic violence in the country.
Consequently, the Head of State has engaged former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for assistance in addressing this societal scourge. She will be working with the Human Services and Social Security Ministry.
“We have agreed to launch a systemic, national-scale approach to address this issue. I have asked Baroness Scotland, who has done extensive work on this matter during her tenure as Commonwealth Secretary-General, to work with the Ministry to further strengthen our national plan and implement a systematic, programmatic action plan,” President Ali noted.
The Head of State noted that Minister Dr Persaud and her team have already implemented a range of initiatives, which would serve as the foundation for these expanded efforts.
According to the Guyanese Leader, “Together, we must all take proactive action to confront this issue… We cannot continue to lose lives senselessly.”