-killer still on the run

A post-mortem examination which was conducted on the body of 50-year-old Patricia Williams, who was murdered at Foulmouth on the Essequibo River on Monday night, revealed that the woman died from manual strangulation. Two individuals from the community were questioned by police at Bartica yesterday in connection with the incident.

According to the woman’s relatives, the autopsy was conducted yesterday in Georgetown and was witnessed by the woman’s brother who alerted residents   of the incident on Monday night. According to them; he related that his sister had been sexually assaulted. Williams’ niece, Lynette Braithwaite told Stabroek News last evening that her aunt was buried yesterday in Georgetown by her brothers and other relatives who travelled to the city.

Another resident told Stabroek News that an aunt of the man suspected of carrying out the brutal act and another female who lives in close proximity to the scene where the incident took place, were taken to Bartica yesterday morning for questioning, even as the suspect, who is known to the community, remained at large. The two women were later released.

According to the resident, from all appearances, the police are relying on them to search for and apprehend the suspect but according to her, this may have dangerous consequences. Stabroek News attempted to obtain a comment from the police at Bartica on the issue yesterday but those efforts were in vain.

The resident said that persons from the small community ventured into the backlands yesterday in search of the suspect after following several foot tracks which were observed along a trail but their search came up empty. She said the man attempted to steal a small generator set and several pieces of clothing from the yard of a resident on Wednesday evening but he ran away after a female who lives at the home in question raised an alarm. She said the man had been issuing threats to persons living in the backlands of Foulmouth since the incident, stating that he could repeat the gruesome act if he pleases.

Williams’ partially nude body was discovered by residents in the community in a clump of bushes close to the river bank on Monday evening after she was attacked by the 20-year-old suspect. The residents meantime, remained concerned about their safety and they were last evening calling on the police to apprehend the suspect as soon as possible.