A 30-year-old porter who is accused of strangling La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) resident, Nirmala Sukhai to death during an argument was yesterday remanded to prison after he was charged with murder.
Ryan Johnson of Canal No. 2 Polder, WBD appeared virtually before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Wales Magistrate’s Court.
He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was remanded to prison.
The matter was adjourned to October 27.
Thirty-three-year-old Sukhai was found lying face down on her bed last Friday afternoon by her mother, Savitri Sukhai, who had gone to check on her after she had not seen or heard from her in almost two days.
It is suspected that Sukhai was killed sometime between 23:00 hrs last Thursday and Friday afternoon at Lot 35 Factory Dam, La Grange, WBD.
An autopsy later revealed that she died as a result of manual strangulation.
Police had said that at the time of the discovery Nirmala was only clad in her blouse. A grey short pants was found on her bed. It appeared as though it was cut from the back. A knife was also found under her bed.
Johnson was arrested on Saturday in connection with the murder. He was questioned during which he confessed to killing Sukhai after he said that she admitted that she was having an affair with his employer.
Sukhai previously worked as a labourer at a sawmill. At the time of her death, she was unemployed.
According to information reaching Stabroek News, the suspect and Sukhai shared a relationship.
Johnson reportedly told investigators that around 17.45hrs last Thursday, he and his employer went to a bar where they met Sukhai and they had a few drinks together.
After purchasing a couple rounds, the suspect said he and his employer left the bar and boarded a car. He added that he went to another bar at Wales after which he journeyed to Sukhai’s house.
Johnson told the police that he has keys to Sukhai’s house.
Whilst there, he related that he and Sukhai had an argument because he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her. Johnson told investigators that he armed himself with a knife which he used to cut open Sukhai’s pants and they had sexual intercourse.
Afterwards, he said he confronted her about having a relationship with his employer and she admitted. This caused Johnson to become angry and a fight started.
During the process, Johnson related that he pushed one of his fingers in Sukhai’s mouth and used his other hand to cover her mouth until she was motionless.
He then opened the back door and left.
