Police were yesterday granted an extension of the detention of Matthew Munroe, the owner of the car, PMM 242, that is suspected to be linked to the death of teacher Kescia Branche, as investigations continue.
Police spokesman Jairam Ramlakhan last night told Stabroek News that investigators yesterday applied and were granted approval for an extension. He explained that the extension would be valid until Monday. He did not release any new details of the investigation.
Stabroek News had reported that Munroe was out of the country and upon his return he was taken into the custody.
Acting commissioner of police David Ramnarine had confirmed his arrest. Munroe reportedly told police that he had left the country to attend his niece’s 16th birthday and that he had nothing to do with Branche’s death.
Branche, 22, a mother of one and a teacher at Richard Ishmael Secondary School, was found on November 5th along Cemetery Road, obliquely opposite the cemetery office, sometime around 5 am.
She succumbed to her injuries on November 7th in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital.
A post-mortem examination revealed that she died as a result of brain haemorrhaging and blunt trauma to the brain.
Branche was seen leaving the Blue Martini nightclub on Upper Lamaha Street in Newtown on November 4 in the company of the two on-duty constables. After leaving the nightclub, the trio had ventured to a barbeque spot on Mandela Avenue. From there, one of the constables said she left with a taxi.
The two police constables and Branche’s ex-partner were deemed “persons of interest” in her death and were held for questioning before being released.
Crime Chief (ag) Paul Williams had previously told this newspaper that samples were taken from the remains of Branche and the individuals who were detained for questioning and they will soon be sent overseas for DNA testing.
