Mother of five found buried in shallow grave, husband arrested

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 37-year-old Zaila Sugrim, whose remains were found in a shallow grave at Crane, West Coast Demerara Tuesday afternoon.

The remains were found buried in a garden inside the compound that houses the Shell Gas Station.

The woman’s husband, Ryan Sugrim, has been taken into Police custody.

The News Room was reliably informed that the woman’s remains were found partially burnt.

Neighbours in the area told the News Room that they recalled a huge fire in the area on Saturday night (May 11) – the same day that Zaila went missing.

According to the neighbours, they informed Ryan of the fire and he extinguished it himself before the fire service arrived.

The News Room understands that on Saturday last, Zaila was last seen entering her husband’s car; he was taking her to visit their son for his birthday.

Her family did not see or heard from her since and subsequently filed a missing person report.

The couple shared a rocky 17 years of marriage and Zaila had moved out of their La Grange, West Bank Demerara home due to constant physical abuse at the hands of her husband.

As a matter of fact, the Kaieteur News reported that the businessman was charged in December 2018 with the unlawful restraint and causing grievous bodily harm of Zaila, which occurred on December 14, 2018.

The Kaieteur News reported that on the day in question, the parties had a heated domestic argument that led to Sugrim inflicting a sound thrashing on Zaila which caused traumas to the head, neck and face. As a result, Zaila was hospitalized for five days.

Zaila had stated that she was fearful for her life given the fact that her husband nearly killed her.

The man was released on bail for the offences in 2018.