A 40-year-old sawmill worker was fatally stabbed by a male relative last evening after a family dispute.

Ralph Jacobs of Plaisance, Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) last evening.

Lynette Fredericks, the man’s reputed wife, told Stabroek News that an argument arose between the relative and Jacobs.

“Our daughter went with my son Orin to buy a phone card and they take long to come back so me and Ralph went to look for them,” Fredericks said. “We had a lil talking about it and Ralph start hitting and kicking Orin.”

The relative who did the stabbing got involved in the fight, the distressed woman reported.

“He jump in the middle and he and Ralph had it out…is then this other boy that been around come shoving a kitchen knife … and telling he to stab Ralph…I keep telling (the relative) not to do anything,” Fredericks said between sobs.

The relative  reportedly stabbed Ralph once in the region of the heart. The man collapsed shortly after.

“I see he stab he once…Ralph move away after then and he keep telling me that (the relative) stab he and that is the last thing I hear he say before he fall down…is right there the police come and find he,” Fredericks explained.

The men, Fredericks said, had been drinking earlier that evening.

“This thing happen just when it de getting dark like lil after 6….he [Ralph] de never like (the relative),” Fredericks stated.

The suspect and a female relative were taken into police custody where they remained up to press time last night.