Wife held as cops probe Diamond man’s ‘suicide’

A “depressed” labourer is dead after reportedly stabbing himself in the chest early yesterday morning at his Diamond, East Bank Demerara home but police detained his reputed wife to assist with investigations.

Alvin Kissoon

Alvin Kissoon, 38, of Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre sometime around 2 am yesterday.  Police, in a press statement, said that from the reputed wife’s reports, Kissoon committed suicide. Crime Chief Seelall Persaud had told this newspaper earlier that the incident was being treated as a suspected murder as the injuries the man sustained were not consistent with someone stabbing himself and as such the woman was arrested. Persaud added that the couple was alone in the house at the time of the incident.

According to the police statement, an investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the death which occurred at around 1:30 am at Kissoon’s home. Initial investigations revealed that Kissoon is reported to have gone home under the influence of alcohol and threatened to kill himself as he had lost his job, the police said. “He was later seen by his reputed wife inflicting injuries to his left foot with a knife. She reportedly attempted to take away the knife from him during which he pushed her away and stabbed himself to his chest”, said the statement.

When Stabroek News arrived at the Golden Grove Police Station where the woman was being held, relatives were outside anxiously awaiting word on her detention. One relative told this newspaper that the woman is heavily pregnant and is expected to deliver at any time. The relative said he is unaware of what occurred yesterday morning as the couple lived alone. The man said that they received a telephone call that the woman was at the station but were given no other information. This newspaper understands that the police were also taking statements from several relatives including the woman’s mother.

One resident, who lives a short distance from the couple’s home, recalled hearing screams around 7:30 am. Stabroek News was unable to contact Kissoon’s relatives.

Up to late yesterday afternoon, the reputed wife remained in police custody as investigations continue into the matter.