Deaths at Marriott: Cops reviewing CCTV, substance being tested for poison

Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage in an effort to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 25-year-old Paishnarine ‘Ritchie’ Hansraj and 34-year-old Justin Teixeira whose bodies were found inside Teixeira’s car at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown in the wee hours of Saturday.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told the News Room that a plastic container with “white hard substance” which was found in the back seat of the car is also being tested to determine whether it is poison or illegal drugs.

A statement from Police Headquarters revealed that investigators were told by a 28-year-old employee of the Marriot Hotel that he received a telephone call from Teixeira’s 60-year-old mother at around 23:30hrs that her son was having a seizure. The mother asked if someone can check on him.

The hotel employee said he immediately dispatched another employee to check on Teixeira who was a guest at the hotel when it was discovered that the room he was staying in on the sixth floor was empty.

The employee then went to Teixeira’s black Vezel motorcar (PAC 2607) in the parking lot where he observed Teixeira sitting in the driver’s seat, and all the windows of the vehicle were halfway down.

The employee said he opened the front passenger door and discovered Hansraj sitting in a crunch-like position. Both Teixeira and Hansraj appeared to be motionless.

The employee immediately called 911 and the ambulance with EMT arrived; both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police confirmed that no marks of violence were seen on the exposed parts of the bodies.

The bodies were escorted to the Memorial Garden Funeral Home awaiting an autopsy.

The Crime Chief said that the Facebook accounts of both young men were examined by investigators.

“And their last posts which were made approximately 8 to 15 hours ago appeared to be of some investigative value,” he told the News Room.

Hansraj’s last post on Facebook was made just hours ago and it stated: “I hope the world find peace today I love you all !

Teixeira wrote on his page: “Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.????“

Teixeira was a flight attendant attached to American Airlines and lived at Republic Park, East Bank Demerara. Hansraj is known for his singing and was slated to get engaged next month. He resided at Hague, West Coast Demerara and was the only son of his parents.