GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Police in Regional Division 6 are investigating the death of a 68-year-old labourer who was found floating in the Berbice River one day after reportedly being involved in an altercation with another villager, authorities said.
The deceased has been identified as Cledwin “Smokey” Gordon of DeVeldt Village, Berbice River. Police said Gordon was reported missing on Friday, Oct. 10, following the altercation.
Investigators visited DeVeldt on Saturday around 12:39 p.m. and interviewed several residents. Based on information received, police recovered a cutlass believed to have been used in the confrontation. A 49-year-old labourer of the same village was arrested and remains in custody. The cutlass was lodged as evidence.
Around 6 a.m. on Sunday, Gordon’s body was discovered floating in the Berbice River near the village. Investigators retrieved and examined the body before transporting it to the Bath Settlement Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a doctor. The remains were later taken to Bailey’s Funeral Home pending a post-mortem examination.
The suspect was formally interviewed on Monday, Oct. 13, and remains in police custody as the investigation continues.