Although Khemraj Lallbeharry’s relatives knew he was depressed and that he had a drinking problem, his death by hanging came as a shock to them as no one suspected that he was suicidal.
The 42-year-old divorced father of one was found hanging from his bedroom ceiling of his Grove, East Bank Demerara home, which he shared with his sisters and a brother.
The man’s former in-laws said he was quite an easy going person and seldom had any issues with persons, but he had a drinking problem which led to the end of his marriage. His ex-wife, Shereene, was notavailable for comment and his 18-year-old daughter was still recovering from the news of her father’s death and not ready to share her thoughts.
His former mother-in-law, who everybody calls ‘Moses wife’, said he was a good person but “when he drink he used to beat me daughter and them used to ketch story”. She said her daughter finally made up her mind to leave and despite her husband and in-laws pleading with her she refused to reunite with him and subsequently got a divorce. She also said that they two had been split up for quite a long time and only kept in contact as far as it concerned their daughter.
However, the man never moved on and though he didn’t share a close relationship with his daughter they still communicated with each other.
The man’s sisters and one niece also alluded to the separation of the deceased and his wife as a possible reason for him taking his life.
His sister Angela Khan said that even though he was divorced for a long time he never moved on and would habitually fall into a state of depression and would drink excessively. She said “one day he is fine and the happiest person the next day he comes home drunk and calling out Shereene name.”
His niece said her uncle was one of those funny types who could always make you laugh but when he switched and started his drinking he was hard to be around. She also said that for this reason they were not too close but they were still good friends.
Lallbeharry’s brother-in-law said he often urged him to remarry, but he always replied, “Brother who a guh marrid?”
Lallbeharry was employed at Thrill Drinks Company but suddenly walked off the job in December last year. No one took this action as a sign and said they just thought he was going through a phase.
A few of his relatives say that even though it is sad they believe that it was supposed to happen this way and are trying to accept it.
