A prominent Belizean lawyer, who was trained in Guyana, and his wife were murdered yesterday morning in Belize as they were about to enter their home.
Richard Stuart and his wife Maria were the parents of four. The man, who was a former magistrate and politician, was said to be among the first batch of Belizeans who studied law in Guyana. His death has triggered shock among many of his former classmates who used the social network Facebook to express their sympathy.
According to the blog Belizefreepress.com Belizean police issued the following release on the murders: “On Saturday 16th October, 2010 at 11:56pm, CIB personnel responded to a report on Dolphin Drive, West Landivar Area, Belize City, a three storey concrete building. Upon reaching the second floor they observed the lifeless bodies of Richard Stuart 43 years, Attorney and Maria Stuart lying face up in a pool of blood. Both bodies had apparent multiple stab wounds. Both bodies were transported to the KHMH Morgue, where they were pronounced dead on arrival, where they now await a Post Mortem Examination. Police Investigation continues.”
Attorney-at-law Gino Persaud on his Facebook page described the news as “devastating” and referred to Stuart as his “Belizean friend” He said he was “an honorary Guyanese.”
“He believed in the integrity of the law programme at UG (University of Guyana) and encouraged many other Belizeans to come here to study for the entire degree,” Persaud said.
He said his former friend loved Guyana deeply and came back many times to visit, the most recent in 2007 with his wife for Persaud’s wedding.
“He always spoke with fondness of things Guyanese; culture, politics, politicians, food,” Persaud wrote.
