The police were yesterday granted an additional 72 hours to detain the suspect who was held over the murder of 14-year-old Malika Hamilton as they continue their investigations.
A police source told Stabroek News yesterday afternoon that an application, which was made to the High Court requesting the extension of the detention, was granted.
The prime suspect in the murder, who has only been identified by the alias “Satan,” was caught by ranks of the Guyana Police force, hiding in a barrel in the Ann’s Grove cemetery on Thursday morning. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Hamilton, of Lot 11 Two Sisters Village, East Coast Demerara, had left home on August 9 following an argument she had with her father via telephone. The following day, her body was found several miles away from the Hope Canal Bridge by residents of the community who had ventured into the canal to swim.
The young girl’s cousin had related to this newspaper that on Monday morning, Hamilton and her father had a heated argument on the telephone, which led to her leaving the house.
As night approached, the cousin had said, family members became worried and started to enquire about the teen. A report was made to the police station while several searches did not turn up any trace of the girl.
A post-mortem examination performed on Hamilton’s remains revealed that she died as a result of asphyxiation compounded by trauma to the neck.
