FBI assists local Police with probe

WCB teen murder

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is providing technical assistance to Guyana Police as it investigates the horrific murders of West Coast Berbice cousins ​​Joel and Isaiah Henry and Haresh Singh.
While the Head of Crime refused to disclose any further information, he said the FBI had already begun working with the Police. Police continue to receive regional and international assistance to investigate the brutal murders of the three teenagers, which has led to many protest actions exploding across the country.
Now, four months after the murders, several people have been detained for questioning, but no charges have been laid.
President Dr Irfaan Ali has already reassured the nation that the Government would leave no stone unturned in bringing the criminals to justice. In this regard, in November 2020, a team of the Regional Security Systems (RSS) arrived in Guyana to assist in the murder investigations. The RSS recommended that the Police carry out additional investigations.
Shortly afterwards, Police announced that it was offering $ 3 million to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of the killers.
Meanwhile, the President of the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team, Dr Luis Fondebrider, was in Guyana to determine if the Argentine team could offer any assistance.
Following discussions with the Police and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, Dr Fondebrider gained access to autopsy reports and teenage pathology. During his visit here, Dr Fondebrider met with relatives of the dead teenagers, and also visited the crime scene, where he gathered preliminary information.
On September 6, 2020, the mutilated bodies of Henry’s cousins: Isaiah, 16, and Joel 19, were found in the hinterland of West Coast Berbice after they left their Number Three Village home to pick coconuts but did not return home. Three days later, on September 9, 2020, 17-year-old Haresh Singh was found murdered in the countryside of Village Number Three in what he called a revenge killing. The murders prompted widespread protest action, particularly along the West Coast Berbice corridor, with individuals blocking the roads and burning debris while calling for justice.
The situation got worse when protesters blocked traffic along the WCB road while robbing, beating and distorting innocent commuters. Millions of dollars were also lost as vehicles went up in flames.