Teen charged with murder of 79-year-old Wakenaam woman

Latchman Persaud
Latchman Persaud

Latchman PersaudA teenager was remanded yesterday after he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with the murder of the 79-year-old Wakenaam, Essequibo Island woman who was found dead in her Sans Souci home on Monday. Latchman Persaud, 17, called `Saramakatoy’ was not required to plead to the indictable charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle.

It is alleged that the youth murdered Dhanwantie, known as `Auntie’, at Sans Souci, Wakenaam between May 25 and 26.

The young man was unrepresented and no parent or relative accompanied him to court. He declined to say anything when he was asked by the magistrate.

Dhanwantie’s body was discovered by neighbours who had noticed her front door open and upon checking found her lying on her bedroom floor in a pool of blood. Dhanwantie lived alone but was being cared for by a woman, who would leave late in the afternoon and return each morning. Her death came as a shock to residents who said she stayed mostly indoors and described her as peaceful.

Neighbours had reportedly told the police that the woman would tell the lady who looked after her that she sometimes felt someone pulling at her at night.

The matter continues at the Wakenaam Magistrate’s court on June 25.