Police in Berbice yesterday arrested the suspect in the murder of an unidentified woman whose battered body was found stuffed in a barrel which was found partially submerged in a trench at R and S Street, Belvedere, Corentyne, on Saturday.
The man, Suraj Veersammy, also known as ‘Radesh’, 30, a labourer, of Belvedere Village, Corentyne, was arrested under the Canje Bridge around 11 am.
Commander of B Division, Calvin Brutus, confirmed the arrest, while noting that the suspect is so far denying the allegations. Brutus said the suspect is claiming that he returned home several days ago and noticed that his wife was not at home.
Further, Brutus noted, that no one has yet come forward to identify the body discovered.
Meanwhile, Stabroek News was told that Veersammy told his employers, who laid him off on Wednesday last, that he was heading to his wife’s funeral on Saturday.
The suspect was employed at a nearby chicken farm. However, after he was laid off he returned Saturday morning to collect his remaining pay when he reportedly informed his employers that his wife had passed away and he needed the money to head to the funeral further up the Corentyne.
“He said he mother take over the funeral and he going up with he $1,000 he collect”, the source relayed.
Veerasammy’s mother, Sattie Veersammy told this newspaper that the man who abused drugs and would often imbibe, was extremely troubled.
According to the woman, when he lived with her previously he would steal her cash and jewellery, but she said it was after he threatened to kill her that she cut ties with him.
The woman noted that her son was released from prison late last year after he had served time for stealing. He returned home with a Venezuelan woman who identified herself as “Vanessa”.
The lady relayed that Vanessa, who is suspected to be the woman who was murdered, had told her that she grew up in an orphanage.
The mother said after her son promised he would turn his life around since he would be living home with Vanessa, she reluctantly believed him.
Sattie relayed that Vanessa, who she described as shy, had told her a few times about her son’s actions towards her. She said Vanessa had indicated that the man would pick fights with her after returning home from work which would quickly turn physical.
However, the woman noted that Vanessa did not go much into details and had she spoken out more then she would have tried to help her.
“When she does come here I does try and help she with anything me get but she doesn’t tell me all thing”, the woman said.
Sattie said she regarded Vanessa as her daughter.
The battered body suspected to be that of Vanessa’s was found in a barrel in a trench at R and S Street sometime around 9 am on Saturday.
The body with visible marks of violence was found head down in the blue plastic barrel, which was partly submerged in the trench. The body, which was clad in a green and white striped dress, was discovered with a green, white and black peacock bed sheet wrapped tightly around the neck.
Furthermore, marks of violence were noticed around the woman’s left eye, stomach, left shoulder, left hand and left leg.
The body is presently at Bailey’s Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination.
