An arrest warrant was issued on Tuesday for two men suspected of murdering US missionaries Richard and Charlene Hicks, who were found dead in their South Rupununi home on March 30 just over three years ago.

Charlene and Richard Hicks

Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton issued the warrant for Peter Marare, a Guyanese, and Brazilian Alecemar Cassiano Eligeino also known as Odingo. According to Sergeant Trevor Reid who swore to the information, the men are wanted for the murders of the Hicks which was committed some time between March 30 and 31, 2005.

The men’s whereabouts are unknown and the matter will be put before the court on September 22 for report.
Police had issued wanted bulletins for both men since April 2005 and intense searches had been carried out since that time, in an effort to find them. Along with the murders, the men are also wanted for torching their home. Both men had been working at the San Jose ranch but had disappeared soon after the bodies were found.

The bodies of the Hicks were found in their home by a member of their church. The 42-year-old man had been burnt in the house and his 58-year-old wife bludgeoned to death.

The Hickses were missionaries working for almost a decade in Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) to translate the Holy Bible in the Wapishana language for the local indigenous population.