A Soesdyke miner was stabbed to death on Saturday night at Itaballi, Mazaruni River by the friend of his lover.
The body of Wayne Johnson, 27 years, of Grand Sand Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, was yesterday brought out from Itaballi to the city and is currently at the Lyken Funeral Parlour.
In a press release, police said that Johnson was involved in an argument with another man while they were imbibing at Itaballi, Mazaruni River, during which he was stabbed to his chest. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Bartica Hospital, the release also stated.
The dead man’s sister, Simone Johnson told Stabroek News yesterday that her family received the news of her brother’s death sometime after 9pm on Saturday when a woman he shared a relationship with called and just bluntly told his mother “Wayne dead” and hung up.
She said that her family was a close knit one and her brother would frequently call home. He had called during the week to inform her that he would be home for her birthday yesterday and she should plan festivities.
The woman said that her younger brother had been complaining for some time about the relationship he was in and had said that he wanted to leave his lover. “He called and said that the girl had a problem with him sending home money and he couldn’t take the constant bickering and that he would be leaving her but don’t know how she would take it because she always says she not taking leff,” Simone said.
According to her, reports are that her brother’s lover and a man were at a location when she saw Johnson and pointed him out to the man. The man went up to Johnson and began arguing with and threatening him with a dagger. Upon hearing the threats, Johnson began running away and the man, dagger in hand, pursued him to the Itaballi waterfront. There, he caught up with the weary Johnson and plunged the dagger in the left region of his chest and fled the scene.
He remains on the run and the family said that police informed them yesterday that they had received a tip on the man’s whereabouts from persons in the area and that they had dispatched a team to search that area.
The father of two girls was described as funny, hardworking, loving and an excellent cook. “Wayne was passionate about his food and whenever he came out he would take over the cooking. He loved music, loved to dance and was very close with mommy,” his sister said.
He had been working in Guyana’s mining areas since he was a teen and loved his job and took pride in completing tasks. When his siblings would take too long to get jobs done he would frequently say “push yuh body”, a phrase which his sister says will always be synonymous with memories of him.
Wayne Johnson is also survived by his twin Warren, two other brothers and two sisters.
His autopsy will be performed today. Police say that the suspect has not yet been arrested and that investigations continue.
