A 23-year-old farmer from Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast, Saif Majid, has been charged with murder following the death of his friend, 46-year-old Gary Melville, whose body was discovered early Saturday morning along the Lima Sands public road.
According to police, the accused and Melville, a labourer from the same community, were known to be friends. Investigations revealed that the pair had been drinking together at a local shop on Friday night when an argument reportedly turned violent.
A shopkeeper told investigators that the men, along with others, were seen drinking around 8 PM — the farmer consuming high wine and Melville drinking 592 beers. The suspect was overheard complaining that Melville had burned him with a cigarette before a scuffle broke out between them inside the shop.
The altercation left the suspect bleeding from his head and Melville lying on the floor. Another woman inside the shop managed to separate them, and Melville then left on foot heading north, witnesses said.
About ten minutes later, the suspect was seen leaving on his motorcycle in the same direction as Melville.
It wasn’t until around 5:30 AM Saturday that a woman walking along the Lima Sands road found Melville’s lifeless body on the eastern side of the road. She raised an alarm and the police were summoned.
Melville’s body bore injuries to his hands, knees, feet and face. He was pronounced dead at the Suddie Hospital.
The suspect, who also had injuries to his hand, head and knee, was arrested and treated at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital before being taken into custody.
He has since been charged with murder and is expected to appear in court soon as police continue their investigations.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact the nearest police station.
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