Son arrested, cremation halted as father’s death raises eyebrows

By Leroy Smith

Detectives in ‘A’ Division late Thursday afternoon moved to halt the cremation of 54-year-old Parsram Mathura while they arrested his son, Mark Mathura. The man was slated to be cremated today, Friday, December 1, 2017, after he died on Monday, November 27 at his Friendship, East Bank Demerara home.

News Room was informed that the man’s son had a key part to play in his death and according to information received, the senior Mathura fell ill and his son reportedly told a friend via text message that he “can no longer see his father punish.”

The police have since taken possession of the man’s mobile phone. Even though the man died at his home, it is yet to be ascertained whether the family made a police report, as should be the case whenever someone dies at their residence. In addition to that, the family opted not to conduct a Post Mortem Examination (PME).

A close relative of the family reportedly indicated that the junior Mathura excluded his mother from the funeral arrangements. There is a general view by some relatives that the man’s death might have been hastened intentionally by someone close to him.

When the News Room contacted the dead man’s wife, she said her son was out shopping when the police arrived at her house asking for him. She provided the ranks with his cell phone number and the Junior Mathura was invited to visit the police station.

Ranks reportedly told the man about the nature of their investigation and that he would be required to remain in custody until a PME is performed on his father’s remains.

Mrs. Mathura told the News Room that her husband was hospitalized at a private hospital for liver complications and high blood pressure. She said he was discharged on November 24 and the doctors gave him medication to last for five days.

The woman said that the doctors told her that her husband will not live more than five days, however, the man died before the five days elapsed. She said it was her son who discovered him dead.

The woman said that her son and her husband lived as brothers and she is not aware that they had any issues. The woman does not believe that her son had any part to play in his father’s death.