Alcohol/drug use & controlling partners are major factors as 35 killed as of mid-April

By Sharda Bacchus

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Murders, while unlawful are brutally committed often, sometimes planned and cold-bloodedly executed. It is among those high-profile crimes that attract harsh punishments such as life imprisonment.

Sometimes there is remorse; other times, though a stain on the reputation of the killers, it is regarded as satisfaction. The nature of these acts tends to leave lifelong trauma for the relatives and friends of victims.

Such is the case of Sarah Bacchus Arjoon, the 56-year-old Reech-Door-Zee, West Bank Demerara woman, who appeared to have been in a happy, trouble free marriage until she was brutally murdered by her husband on April 08, 2024.

Sarah’s husband took his own life after and left a note behind. He, like other men who kill their partners, accused her of having an affair.

Instead of seeking help or parting ways, he decided to take her life.

“Losing her was very emotional. There was no dry eyes when seeing Aunty Sarah coming out on the stretcher.

“Her (Sarah) eldest child told me that her father accused her mother of being unfaithful. I was very upset. Because she is not that type of person. She ain’t deserve to die like that,” a neighbour told the News Room.

Sarah worked hard. She dedicated her life to her family. So, her family and the close knitted community found her death hard to accept.

At a recent event, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn addressed the crime situation in the country. He was quick to point out the rise in murders, noting that there has been an increase in those that are domestic violence related or disorderly.

“There is a problem of domestic murders where our men kill their partners, our mostly young, dysfunctional, insecure men, and there are problems between young people of disorderly murders,” Benn said.

Disorderly, meaning those that are committed during an argument or confrontation mostly due to old issues that arise, out of anger and unconsciously.

An evaluation by the News Room revealed that majority of the disorderly murders are committed by persons who are under the influence of alcohol.

In fact, data gathered by the News Room showed that up to April 15, 2024, there were 35 murders; 17 of which were disorderly. And out of these, six murders happened during drinking sessions.

Six others were domestic related, four occurred during robberies and for the other six, the circumstances under which they took place are not known.

The figures for murders highlight a 25 per cent increase when compared to the same period last year, which saw 28 murders.

To address the situation, Benn said the authorities are looking at ways in which they can offer help such as counselling.

“We are looking at dealing with that situation as we are upping the level with trying to mitigate, trying to have counselling and trying to have early reports of threats to persons in the communities,” he said.

But some murders are out of mere anger when a threat is made or a demand is not met.

Data shows that Regions Three and Six account for most of the murders; with six incidents each for the recorded period.

Region One recorded five murders followed by Regions Six, and Seven with four murders each.