Police are investigating the alleged murder of 72-year-old Angelina Mora, a pensioner of Yakarinta Village, North Rupununi. The incident reportedly occurred between 3:00 PM and 10:00 PM on November 28, 2024, at the victim’s home.
The prime suspect, Jeffrey Edwards, a 53-year-old farmer and reputed husband of the victim, has been arrested.
Upon arriving at the scene, police observed an unfenced yard with a small house measuring approximately 10×15 feet, featuring a single access door at the front. Nearby were several similar houses. Initial investigations revealed that Mora and Edwards had lived together in the house for over four years.
Witnesses reported seeing a physical altercation between the couple earlier in the day. Almalita Marshall, a 42-year-old housewife and niece of the suspect, stated that around 3:00 PM, she saw Edwards assaulting Mora under a cashew tree in their yard. The altercation lasted two to three minutes, after which Edwards dragged Mora into their home.
Later that evening, at approximately 10:00 PM, Nekita Benjamin, a 24-year-old Community Health Worker, received an anonymous call informing her of Mora’s death. Upon visiting the home, she questioned Edwards, who claimed Mora had been drinking in the village, returned home, went to bed, and stopped breathing. However, Benjamin observed visible marks of violence on Mora’s face, chest, and breasts. When confronted, Edwards admitted to drinking and having a “little fight” with Mora.
Detectives processed the scene and arrested Edwards, but he denied causing the injuries, claiming instead that ‘Kanaima’ (a term used to describe malevolent spirits in Indigenous culture) was responsible for his wife’s death.
Mora’s body was transported to the Lethem Hospital Mortuary, where she was pronounced dead and is now awaiting a post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, Edwards was taken to the Lethem Regional Hospital for a medical examination. He remains in police custody at the Lethem Police Station, assisting with the ongoing investigation.
