Soesdyke father charged in children’s murders

John Blanchard, the father accused of knifing to death two of his children, was yesterday remanded to prison after being charged with two counts of murder.

Blanchard, 31, of Dr Charles Place Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he was not required to plea to the indictable charges when they were read to him.

It is alleged on Tuesday, October 11, Blanchard stabbed to death 10-year-old Belika Blanchard, 10 and four-year-old Daniel Blanchard.

Daniel Blanchard
John Blanchard
Belika Blanchard

The police prosecutor told the court that on the day in question, the defendant armed himself with two knives and fatally stabbed Belika and Daniel Blanchard while they were asleep. The prosecutor added that in the process the defendant also stabbed his daughter Joy Blanchard, six-years-old, who is now a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The prosecution made application to have the matter transferred to Providence Magistrates’ Court but Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry denied the application and remanded Blanchard until November 1, when the case will be called for report and fixture.