UPDATE: Owner, son and handyman in custody for Berbice teens’ gruesome murder

Acting Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie, at an emergency press conference this morning, related that the owner of the Coconut Estate – on which the mutilated bodies of Isaiah and Joel Henry were found – his son and handyman are in Police custody as the murder investigation intensifies.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn called the press conference with the Commissioner to provide an update on how the Police are approaching the investigation along with the status of the probe at this point.

Hoppie indicated that the Guyana Police Force will conduct a transparent and thorough investigation from a professional standpoint.

Presently, six CID officers are on the scene and the murder weapon has not been found. However, investigators are still combing the scene for evidence.

Home Affairs Minister Benn has described the series of events as ‘vicious’, noting there is no excuse for the ‘shock and horror’ which was experienced. According to him, no efforts will be spared to bring justice to the families and the young boys. The police have been tasked with maintaining control of the area, as appealed for peace to prevail.

The badly-mutilated bodies of 16-year-old Isiah Henry and 19-year-old Joel Henry were discovered almost one day after they went missing. They reportedly left on Friday their Number 3 Village, West Coast Berbice home to pick coconuts in the backdam.

Their disappearance prompted family members to launch several search parties to look for them. After hours of searching, the badly-chopped bodies were discovered among the bushes and were partially covered in mud.

Protesters at Cotton Tree Village Monday morning

Following the discovery and the gruesome manner in which the boys were murdered, Cotton Tree residents took to the streets. They blocked the roads and burned debris all while calling for justice.

The Police managed to clear the road Sunday night but early Monday morning, the residents were back on the streets demanding that swift action be taken. The protest action is still ongoing with a buildup of the number of protestors.

Protesters at Cotton Tree Village Monday morning