Popular educator and entertainer, Kirwyn Mars, also known by the sobriquet, ‘Sir Mars’, was yesterday laid to rest.
Hundreds gathered to bid their last farewell to ‘Sir Mars’ in a ceremony that was fittingly held on the tarmac of the National Cultural Centre, a building in which Sir Mars for many years had performed, to the delight of audiences.
Along with family and friends, and the gathering also included, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton; former Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson; Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton; Guyana Teachers Union members, fellow comedians and actors.
The atmosphere while tinged with sadness was mostly joyful and celebratory in keeping with the vibrant personality of Sir Mars and as such there was much dancing, singing and laughter.
Mars has left behind some 31 years of teaching and just prior to his death held the position of Deputy Head of the New Central High School, also referred to as St. Mary’s Secondary School. He was just one year short of retiring from that career.
The educator was also an actor and performed standup comedy. Two roles which made him a household name.
His death has sent shockwaves throughout the country and further afield. Both the theatre and teaching fraternities have also expressed deep sadness at the sudden loss of ‘Sir Mars’.
However, in the midst of their profound grief, his family has stated that they are willing to extend forgiveness towards the suspect.
Mars died tragically at the age of 51 after he was repeated stabbed and then crushed with his own vehicle.
According to reports, Mars, who is the registered owner of a grey Mitsubishi RVR vehicle, PZZ-6438, was at 10.30, on the 7th May, at lot 1654 Plantation Providence, East Bank Demerara, along with another male when argument broke out between two.
The argument quickly escalated into a physical altercation. The police had originally said that both parties armed themselves with knives and repeated stabbed each other but it later recanted this statement and said that only Mars was injured during the altercation).
Mars then exited the vehicle and attempted to escape but the suspect reversed the vehicle hitting him and pinning him to the fence of a nearby house. The suspect then exited the vehicle and escaped on foot. The vehicle had to be removed with the assistance of the fire service, and the lifeless body of Mars was revealed with his face pinned against the fence.
An examination of the body revealed lacerations to the face, head, hand, and shoulder, forehead, above the left eye, right side chest, and back. Two knives were also recovered from the scene.
A post mortem examination conducted by government pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, found that Mars died from crushing injuries to the chest compounded by “multiple cutaneous wounds as a result of eight (8) stab wounds about the body upper left chest, right shoulder, upper left collarbone, left hand, right elbow, and left upper chest.”
That alleged killer was identified as Brian Richards, a 24-year-old from John Fernandes Squatting area.
A breakthrough in the case came after CCTV footage was received showing the two at the Green City Bar located at the corners of D’Urban Street and Vlissengen Road, just about 17:38 hrs and later leaving at 20:59hrs on the night of the incident.
Days after the incident, Brian Richards, a father of three, from John Fernandes Squatting Area, was listed as the main suspect and questioned about the murder.
Since then, Richards has claimed that he was acting in self-defence at the time of the murder. He is said to be the only suspect in the murder case. He allegedly later confessed and appeared before Magistrate, Sunil Scarce relaxed and unrepresented.
He was not required to enter a plea to capital offence of murder, where it was alleged that Richards on the 7th May, at Plantation Scheme, Providence he murdered ‘Sir Mars’. He was remanded to prison until June 23rd for statement.
