Police in ‘F’ Division have arrested a second person, as investigations into the death of Phillip Cort, a Cuyuni miner who was allegedly murdered after an altercation with another miner over missing gold.
Cort, 55, of Arimu Falls Top Landing, Cuyuni, and formerly of 32 Queen Street, Courtland, Corentyne, Berbice, was found in his tent on Monday morning, with multiple marks of violence, police said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to Divisional Commander Ravindradat Budhram, currently two persons, including the other miner who was initially arrested, are in custody and assisting with investigations.
Budhram said they had to apply for an extension to further detain the suspects beyond the stipulated 72 hours.
It was noted that around 3 pm on Sunday, Cort had an altercation with another miner, who is being treated as the prime suspect in his death.
The police said that during the encounter, which stemmed from “some missing raw gold,” Cort was allegedly beaten by the suspect, who is from Wismar Hill, Linden, and subsequently died.
After the police were alerted, Cort’s body was brought out and taken to the Bartica Public Hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead on arrival.
