A Brazilian national who journeyed to Lethem to party was found stabbed to death near the Takutu Bridge on Christmas morning and investigators believe that the assailant fled to Brazil.
Dead is Marcus Paul Da Silva, 34, whose body was discovered around 7.30 am with multiple stab wounds about the face, back and chest.
According to the police, a trail of blood was observed leading from the murder scene unto the Takutu Bridge which links Guyana to Brazil.
Police sources have said that the murder may be drug-related and they are receiving assistance with the investigations from their counterparts in Brazil.
Investigations so far revealed that Da Silva, who resides in Bon Fim, about half mile from the Takutu Bridge, borrowed money from his mother several hours before he was discovered dead.
The man later walked across the bridge to reach a popular hang-out spot in Lethem, where he partied with friends until sunrise.
Investigators are working on the theory that he was journeying back to Brazil when he was attacked and stabbed before he got to the bridge.
The body is currently at the Lethem Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
A resident of Lethem told Stabroek News yesterday that Da Silva lived in Moco Moco (a small village 14 miles from Lethem) up to about 10 years ago, when he migrated to Brazil with his mother. The man said that Da Silva would visit the community regularly to party and was last seen by persons early Christmas morning in the company of about six men. The group was on their way back to Brazil.
The resident said that the man was found a short distance from the bridge and during the incident the attacker might have been wounded as there is a blood trail across the bridge.
This newspaper was told that it was persons on their way to cross the bridge who made the discovery.
While no suspects have been identified police here are still investigating.
Guyana’s side of the bridge is closed to vehicular traffic at 5 pm each day while the Brazilian side is closed at 7 pm. However persons could walk or ride across the bridge unhindered after the closing time.
Brazilians, residents told this newspaper, flock to Lethem daily to conduct business and to party.