An overseas-based Guyanese doctor was yesterday morning discovered dead in the backlands of No. 72 village Corentyne, Berbice.
The discovery was made by persons who were traversing the area. Police said that Dr Max Kungel, 42 years, of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA and of No. 72 Village, Corentyne, was found in a motor vehicle in the backdam at No. 70 Village, Corentyne, with suspected gunshot injuries. Kungel served in the US Army.
According to Victor (only name given), an uncle, the family received an anonymous call informing them that Kungel had been found dead in the backdam. The uncle said when he arrived at the scene, they saw Kungel in his white Toyota Tundra approximately two miles away from the No. 72 public road. The Toyota Tundra was rented.
The uncle explained that, upon arrival they saw all the doors of the vehicle opened and his nephew was in the driver’s seat in an upright position. The uncle also noted that there were bloodstains on the deceased’s mouth, neck and on the driver’s seat.
Additionally, Victor explained that on the left side of the deceased’s chest the gunshot wounds were seen and indicated that Kungel was sitting upright.
Kungel was apparently stripped of all his jewellery and cash according to the uncle, noting that, his wallet appeared to be empty and was found outside of the vehicle.
When asked how long police took to arrive on the scene the uncle responded that after alerting the lawmen, they took approximately half an hour to get there.
Meanwhile, a sister of the deceased who asked for her name not to be revealed related to Stabroek News the last time she spoke to her brother.
The mourning sister stated that on Saturday night between 6:30 and 7 pm her brother had come in from the road. She added that the two spoke a bit and she had told him good night, after which she noted that her brother went out.
The sister explained that yesterday morning when she got up, she did not notice her brother and thought he was still sleeping but an aunt questioned the whereabouts of the vehicle.
The sister lamented that she thought it had been returned to the company or that her brother had slept at a hotel. She noted that it was not unusual for her brother to sleep at hotels.
Eventually she said, she went over to the aunt’s house and whilst there she received a phone call. She said that on her way to answer the phone she heard persons in the street saying “Max dead! Max dead!” She noted that it was around 8:30 yesterday morning.
The deceased’s sister said she did not believe until she arrived on the scene and saw her motionless brother.
When this publication questioned if there was any suspect she said there was none and indicated that her brother was a very private person. “He doesn’t tell anybody what he does or where he goes, he keeps everything about him to himself”.
However, the sister said they had been experiencing some family problems.
Stabroek News understands that Kungel and his sister had been in Guyana since March 7 and were here to observe his grandmother’s first death anniversary.
Kungel worked in the US army for over ten years as a medical doctor. The deceased was described as a generous, protective and loving individual.
He is survived by his nine-year-old daughter, sisters, mother and other relatives.
