No sign of foul play in death of Bagotstown man – police

“The Guyana Police Force wishes to state that no confession has been received from anyone in this matter,” the statement said of investigations into Ali’s death. “Presently there is no information that suggests that foul play is involved…and the police are awaiting the results of the post-mortem examination which…is scheduled for tomorrow.”

This statement followed an article in yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News. The article, headlined “Relatives reportedly confess to killing Bagotstown fisherman”, said two of Ali’s relatives allegedly battered him to death and dumped the body outside his home on Boxing Day. The two relatives, the Kaieteur News article claimed, confessed this to police.

Ali, 53, of Lot 8 Pandit Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara was found dead on the road outside his home by neighbours on Saturday morning. Police sources had told this newspaper the body bore marks of violence and it appeared as if the man was severely beaten with a piece of wood.  The dead man’s father, with whom he lived, was taken into police custody that day but has since been released.

Stabroek News had also learnt from residents that both the deceased and his father were heavy drinkers and they would frequently argue.  The two had reportedly had a dispute on Friday evening. One resident said that often the disputes between the father and son would disturb the neighbourhood. “Some night we nah get peace,” the resident had said.

When Stabroek News visited Ali’s home yesterday afternoon relatives were preparing for a wake.

“Whatever the Kaieteur News printed is false,” relatives told this newspaper.

Ali’s body, according to them, was discovered some time between 11.30 am and 12 pm on Saturday. They said that at time no one was home. Earlier the same day, relatives said, Ali and his father argued and the older man stormed off on his bicycle to cool down.

“The two of them did argue that morning,” one relative told this newspaper yesterday, “and his father left on his bicycle and didn’t return until he get message about what had happened.”

Despite the fact that Ali’s body was found in “broad daylight”, relatives said, residents have denied seeing or hearing anything.

“After they found his body out there,” the relative said, “it wasn’t until two hours later when someone with a vehicle went to the Providence Police Station to collect a rank that a police managed to come here and then it took them another two hours before the hearse come for the body.”

Ali’s father, relatives also explained, along with his niece were taken into police custody initially for questioning but were subsequently released.

“This family already in distress and we are confused,” a relatives stated. “We are looking for answers too.”