The Guyana Police Force yesterday confirmed that the two men who were re-arrested on Monday for questioning in connection with the murders of Melissa Arokium and her eight-year-old son, Anthony Arokium, were on Wednesday evening released from custody for a second time.
Melissa Arokium, also known as Lisa, 30, who operated a shop at her residence at Lot 189 Man-grove Street, Reef, Rose Hall, Corentyne, and Anthony Arokium, 8, a pupil at the Port Mourant Primary School were found dead between 1 pm – 2 pm two Wednesdays ago by a relative.
Based on photographs that were circulated online of the scene, Melissa was found face down in a pool of blood in her living room with major injuries to her neck, while her son was found on his bed with major injuries to his head and neck along with cuts on his face.
Post-mortem examinations which were carried out revealed that Melissa died due to shock and haemorrhage and incised wounds to the neck, while her son died due to shock and haemorrhage and multiple incised wounds.
Police had initially said that they had arrested four persons including Melissa’s two brothers for questioning. The persons they said were the brother who resided with the victims – Cerrano Arokium called ‘Foody’, a 33-year-old cane harvester; the brother who discovered the body of the victims — Nicholas Arokium, called ‘Nico’, a 26-year-old vendor; the boyfriend of the victim, Shailendra Umrao, a 37-year-old of Belvedere, Corentyne and the neighbour of the victim, Deo Naris, a 38-year-old ‘DJ’ of Mangrove Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice.
However, Nicholas Aro-kium had said that he was never arrested. Cerrano Arokium was released on $200,000 bail and the other two men on $50,000 bail each.
On Monday Cerrano and Melissa’s neighbour Deo Naris were re-arrested.
When questioned yesterday, the head of the force’s communication arm, Mark Ramotar yesterday said that “the suspects were released last evening after being further interviewed by investigators based on certain information that was obtained.”
According to Ramotar, investigators are also “patiently awaiting” the results of physical evidence submitted to the Guyana Forensic Labora-tory for testing as the probe is ongoing.
Cerrano had told Sta-broek News that he would speak at a later date after being released the first time from police custody, Naris had said that he previously resided next to Melissa with his wife. However, he and his wife separated last December.
Stabroek News learned that Naris was arrested for threatening his now ex-wife some time ago and breaching a restraining order which was in place. However, after he was released from prison some months ago he moved out from the location next to Melissa and was residing with a relative in Albion. He had told Stabroek News, “Me don’t deh at that place, Melissa does watch over the place for me… Them police say me is the neighbour and that’s why them hold me.”
Stabroek News was told that Naris would often purchase items from Melissa.
Melissa and Anthony were laid to rest on Saturday last.
