Suspect confesses to killing missing man in 2024, dumping body in Abary River

Police say a suspect has confessed to killing a 55-year-old labourer known as “Shortboy”, who disappeared in April 2024, and dumping his body in the Abary River.

Investigators said they received credible information on Monday about the man’s disappearance. His employer, Abass Khan, had earlier reported him missing at the Fort Wellington Police Station after he failed to return from a camp house at Left Bank, Abary River, Region Five, between 28 and 29 April 2024.

Acting on the new lead, police launched an operation at Four Door Canal, Lovelass, Region Five, where they arrested Kishan Sampuran, also known as “Tolo”, a 32-year-old labourer from Bush Lot Railway Line, West Coast Berbice.

Sampuran allegedly told investigators that he, “Shortboy”, and another man known only as “Cowboy” had been drinking at a place called Prem’s Place along the Abary River.

After “Shortboy” became intoxicated and pointed his finger in Cowboy’s face, Cowboy struck him with a piece of wood, causing him to collapse and bleed from the nose and ears.

According to Sampuran, the man died at the scene. He claimed that he and Cowboy placed the body in a white salt bag and dumped it into the river.

Sampuran remains in custody at Fort Wellington Police Station and is expected to accompany detectives to the crime scene. Police said the investigation is continuing.