“No excuse for what happened to the young men”- Min Benn

The gruesome murder of two teens, Joel and Isaiah Henry has again been condemned by Minister of Home Affairs Hon. Robeson Benn.

“Whatever may have been the reason there could be no excuse for what happened to the young men and grievous mutilation of their body,” the Minister said during a press conference.

Minister Benn said that he was surprised at the extreme nature of the act. He noted that the Guyana Police Force has thus far been active in investigating the matter in a professional manner to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Minister also expressed his sympathy adding that he will be visiting the families of the deceased young men. “We want to reassure all Guyanese that no efforts will be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the Minister stated.

Commissioner of Police (ag) Nigel Hoppie said that the Police have been working around the clock to bring the matter to finality. He disclosed that “information so far has led to the arrest of three persons who are assisting in the investigation.”

The persons arrested include the owner of the coconut estate close to where the bodies of the young men were discovered, his son and the handyman.

Commissioner Hoppie noted that “the Guyana Police Force would conduct a thorough investigation into this matter and no stones will be left unturned.” In this effort, the Guyana Police Force has dispatched investigators from its Major Crimes Unit and the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters to aid in the probe.

It was disclosed that when the missing persons’ report was filed, due to concern expressed, a search was immediately launched even though the mandatory 24 hours’ time frame had not elapsed. The bodies of the cousins were found with their throats slashed and other gruesome marks about the body in Cotton Tree Village backdam.

However, both Minister Benn and Commissioner Hoppie are calling on persons in West Coast Berbice villages who are engaging in riot to resort back to order and let the police carry out their investigation. The burning and blocking of roads and the destruction of public and private property have been deemed unlawful.