The murders of Melissa Arokium and her eight-year-old son, Anthony Arokium continue to haunt their family who are continuing their call to the Guyana Police Force to bring their killer(s) to justice.
As one year quickly approaches, Melissa’s brother, Cerrano Arokium, who was arrested in connection with the investigation and then eventually released has bemoaned the police’s action. According to Arokium, the police have not been providing any information or updates to them.
He added that his belongings which were held when the police “wrongfully” arrested him have not been returned. Stressing that his family is still demanding justice, Arokium said that the police are yet to return a cell phone, earpiece and other personal belongings.
Melissa Arokium, also known as Lisa, 30, who operated a shop at her residence, Lot 189 Mangrove 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 on August, 23, 2023 by Melissa’s younger brother.
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 revealed that Melissa died due to shock and haemorrhage from incised wounds to the neck, while her son died due to shock and haemorrhage from multiple incised wounds.
A relative had told Stabroek News: “We give them [the police] some information to work on but nobody care.”
Police had initially said that they had arrested four people including Melissa’s two brothers for questioning. Apart from Cerrano Arokium called ‘Foody’, a 33-year-old cane harvester who resided with the victims, police had also questioned Nicholas Arokium, called ‘Nico’, a 26-year-old vendor, who discovered the bodies; Shailendra Umrao, 37, Melissa’s boyfriend; and her neighbour, Deo Naris, 38, a DJ of Mangrove Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice.
However, Nicholas Arokium 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. Earlier this month, Cerrano and Naris were re-arrested. However, head of the force’s communication arm Mark Ramotar said that the suspects were released “after being further interviewed by investigators based on certain information that was obtained.”
Melissa’s sister-in-law Rose told Stabroek News that in her opinion it seemed the matter had been “closed.”
“They never give us back any update, to me this thing close. Like it’s too much for them and them close it,” the woman said.
She added that the family was still seeking justice but that when they attempt to get an update they were treated as though the matter was no longer important.
Meanwhile, Stabroek News has made multiple requests to the force’s communication arm for an update on the investigation but none has been provided.
