Murder in North Rupununi: Husband claims ‘Kanaima’ responsible for wife’s death

A 72-year-old pensioner from Yakarinta Village, Angelina Mora, was found dead under suspicious circumstances, prompting a police investigation into what is believed to be a case of murder.

Mora, a woman of Amerindian descent, was reportedly killed between 15:00 hrs and 22:00 hrs on November 28 at her home.

The prime suspect, 53-year-old Jeffrey Edwards, a farmer and reputed husband of the victim, was arrested at the scene.

Edwards, who had lived with Mora for over four years in a small house located in an unfenced yard, denied causing the death and claimed that “Kanaima”—a term used to refer to evil spirits in local folklore—was responsible for her demise.

Upon arriving at the scene, police noted that the incident took place in a modest 10×15-foot house with one front door, surrounded by similar dwellings. Initial investigations revealed that Edwards and Mora had been living together as husband and wife.

The investigation gained traction after a key witness, 42-year-old Almalita Marshall, the suspect’s niece, came forward with alarming details. Marshall claimed that on November 28, she saw her uncle physically assaulting Mora under a cashew tree in their yard.

She reported that the assault lasted for several minutes, during which she saw Mora fall to the ground, after which Edwards allegedly dragged her into the house.

Later that evening, another resident of Yakarinta Village, 24-year-old Nekita Benjamin, a Community Health Worker, received a phone call from an anonymous source informing her that Mora had died. Benjamin immediately visited the couple’s home, where she confronted Edwards about the news.

Edwards told her that his wife had been drinking in the village before returning home, going to bed, and later “stopping breathing.”

However, upon examining Mora’s body, which was lying on a bed, Benjamin noticed visible signs of violence, including marks on her face, chest, and breast area. Benjamin questioned Edwards again, prompting him to admit that they had been drinking and had a “little fight.”

The body of the victim was later transported to Lethem Hospital Mortuary, where a doctor confirmed her death. A post-mortem examination is expected to determine the exact cause of death.

Meanwhile, Edwards remains in police custody at Lethem Police Station, where he continues to maintain that evil spirits were responsible for his wife’s injuries.