Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Kurt Burke, whose body was found in a clump of bushes at Mahaicony early yesterday.
Burke, 41, a farmer of Drill, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, was found at about 9.30 am yesterday on the main road at Drill. He was found with injuries suspected to have been caused in a hit-and-run accident, the police said in a press release.
However, family members have said they do not believe the incident was an accident and they suspect that Burke was murdered.
A cousin Candacy (only name given) told Stabroek News that the family was alerted by persons who made the discovery of the body in a clump of bushes. The cousin said that after receiving a phone call, she went to the scene and observed the body being placed in a hearse. The woman said she saw that her cousin’s body bore cuts, his face was bruised and his left foot was missing.
She also pointed out that the body had a high stench. The family suspects that the incident may have occurred sometime after 7 pm on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, when Stabroek News asked why the family suspected murder, the cousin pointed to the magnitude of injuries sustained and his missing leg. She also pointed to the fact that the bicycle he had been riding had minor damage. “The wheel barely ben up,” she stated.
The cousin told this publication that the last time Burke was seen alive was yesterday afternoon. She said he had been at an aunt’s house assisting with some chores – something he normally did. It was explained that Burke, a father of five, left and went to his home, where he picked up some fish to take back to his aunt’s home. However, he never made it back. The cousin explained that when they arrived on the scene the parcel of fish was still on the ground.
Stabroek News understands that Burke whose son lived with his aunt would normally take the boy to school, but never showed up yesterday morning. The aunt then made several calls before she learnt of the incident.
Candacy said the family was not aware of the what had happened. She said her father was riding along the main road when he saw a crowd of people and asked what was happening; it was then he received the tragic news.
She said after the persons on the scene told her father it was Burke, they called family members and informed them.
Police have told the family that they are treating the incident as an accident, but if the family had any information to prove otherwise they should tell them.
Burke’s body is currently at the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination.
He is survived by his five children, parents, and siblings.
