Even as investigation continues into the killing of Kwame Bhagwandin, the robbery accused who died after being fatally beaten in Kimbia, Berbice River just over a month ago, his mother says she remains clueless about the circumstances surrounding his death.
“Nothing! Nothing, we haven’t heard. It is like this murder never even take place. I don’t know how to get on to anyone [in authority] to get answers. Is over a month and nothing from police,” Donna Liddell told Stabroek News when contacted yesterday.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum emphasised to this newspaper that the probe is ongoing. Pressed further as to whether the investigators are following any leads, he responded by saying that “at this stage certain aspects of the investigation cannot be revealed.”
Liddell explained that when she visited the Central Police Station to enquire about the status of the investigation days after her son was laid to rest, she was given a contact number for an officer who has been foreseeing the investigation in in Region Ten. The mother related that when she contacted the officer, he did not provide her with any information on the matter and instead asked her if she has any suspects in mind.
“I last talk to the officer on April 20 but he tell he would call be back and unto today I didn’t get no call… but I still want answers. I want to know how my son got killed… I want to know what happened…” the mother said.
Meanwhile, Liddell stated that on all the police records and even the death certificate, it is stated that her son died on March 18 instead of March 19.
“I don’t know what happened there. They say the murder happen Phagwah day [March 18]. That was a Friday and it was a Saturday morning we hear he get beat up and they bring he out Saturday afternoon, I don’t know how they saying he died Friday…,” she said.
Bhagwandin, 39, a resident of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, succumbed after he was beaten by residents of Kimbia, Berbice River, who suspected that he was involved in a robbery which had occurred in the community the day before.
Reports had revealed that Bhagwandin was detained by villagers during a search in the aftermath of a brutal robbery of a family that operates a boating business in the Berbice River.
The home of the Gladstone family was invaded by a gang of men who ransacked the upper flat and escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash and jewellery. The family operates a boat service that plies the Berbice River.
Rayon Gladstone had told Stabroek News that the invasion occurred at approximately 11.30 pm and lasted for an estimated two hours.
He said that he had opened his door to turn off their generator before retiring to bed but as he was about to do that he saw two men walking in the yard and he called out to them.
The bandits eventually managed to kick open the front door of the house. They immediately demanded cash and jewellery, Rayon said and started to ransack the home.
Rayon said he was tied up with wire and a belt during the ordeal. He was later freed by his wife.
He told this newspaper that even after they told the men on several occasions that they did not have more money, they continued asking. “One of them come and jump on my back and chopped me on by back and in my head before leaving me in the room…while they were ransacking the house I try to lose out myself…”, he recounted.
His brother, Ryan Gladstone, stated that sometime after he realised the commotion in the living quarters had died down and it was at that point he released himself from the shackles and went to seek help.
He noted that as the news spread across the community, residents came out and joined the search for the perpetrators. During the course of the morning, Rayon said he along with his wife and brother went to the community health centre for medical attention.
He stated that with the commotion distracting him from his sleep, he got up and saw that the villagers had a man tied up. At the same time, he said the police were also on the scene.
Bhagwandin was one of four inmates disfigured in an attack at the New Amsterdam Prison on May 23, 2014. On that day, four inmates of the New Amsterdam Prison had to be hospitalised after they were brutally attacked by what is believed to be a six-member gang who doused them with acid and chopped them about their bodies.
Bhagwandin had faced a series of charges for armed robbery in the Berbice courts and is well-known to the police.
