A 40-year-old watchman was yesterday found murdered in the home he guarded at Sixth Street, Diamond, East Bank Demerara following an apparent robbery.

Dead is Trevor Simon called ‘Neighbour Joe.’ His body was discovered at around 4 pm yesterday by the owner of the home, who was making his regular checks at the building, which is still under construction. Simon’s hands and feet were tied as well as his mouth which was bound with a piece of cloth and abrasions were seen on his head, the police said. The lawmen, in a press release, said that they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the watchman’s death.

It is believed that the persons who killed Simon had gone to the building to rob. Simon’s bicycle, which he had only purchased recently, was missing and a container that was in the yard was broken into and ransacked, neighbours said. This newspaper was told that Simon had been guarding the place for about a year and lived on site.

One man, who lives close to the building, told Stabroek News that he usually spoke with Simon every night. The man, who asked not to be named, however, said that he did not visit his friend on Tuesday night. Another resident said that he last saw the watchman at about 8:30 pm on Tuesday.

The residents, who consider Simon a friend, as they spoke with him often, said he is usually seen at the building every morning and so when he was not seen yesterday, they were a little surprised but did not check. One said that he thought that the watchman had probably gone out though the container was seen open and this was a little suspicious as it was normally closed. They said that they had heard nothing on Tuesday night, when the murder is believed to have occurred.

Residents told this newspaper that the owner of the home usually made daily checks and went to the home shortly before 4 pm yesterday. One resident said that he was asked whether he had seen Simon yesterday but said no, noting that he had seen him the previous night.

The owner after checking found the body in the bathroom. Simon’s hands were tied behind his back, his feet were bound and he was gagged. His attackers apparently smashed his head repeatedly against the wall or floor. “He had a big bump on his head and his face mash up”, one resident said. Simon’s bicycle, which he only purchased last week, was missing. The container did not have many items of value, the residents said.

Following the discovery, the police were called and the body was later removed. Residents said that Simon was a very friendly person and they usually chatted with him. “He was a nice guy…we does gaff about football, cricket”, one man said. He stated that Simon never spoke of having any enemies. Residents said that the murder was “very upsetting” and lamented the absence of streetlights in that particular area.  Simon’s body is at the Lyken’s Funeral Parlour awaiting a post mortem examination. Inves-tigations are continuing.