An investigation should be launched into how ASP Murray and Constable Shepherd died

Dear Editor,

We the family of Assistant Superintendant of Police Ivelaw Murray wrote a letter requesting a thorough investigation into the death of our beloved so that justice can be served (‘Police version of how ASP Murray died varies greatly from autopsy report…‘ SN, July 31, 2010). To date we have received no word from the authorities and hereby revisit our call for an investigation.

ASP Ivelaw Murray served the Guyana Police Force for fifteen years and at the time of his death he was the Officer in Charge of the Springlands Police Station. The Commissioner of Police has alleged that ASP Murray murdered Constable Kevin Shepherd and then committed suicide. He has further alleged that ASP Murray was involved in actions that were inappropriate within the Force, implying that the two officers were involved in a homosexual relationship.

The version given by the Police Commissioner at the time with respect to the circumstances surrounding the death of ASP Murray varied significantly from the findings of the post mortem conducted by Dr. V Brijmohan. The post mortem report showed ASP Murray was shot twice in the head. Either shot would have been fatal – rendering him incapable of firing a second shot. The doctor also checked for evidence of homosexual activity on both officers and found none. Further, the police ballistics report has revealed that no gunpowder residue was found on ASP Murray’s hands and deemed his death a homicide.

Dr Brijmohan has informed our family that he told the Guyana Police Force it was impossible for ASP Murray to have committed suicide based on his findings and observations, and it was a clear case of murder. Further, he has indicated his willingness to have a discussion with any audience including the Guyana Police Force which has not contacted him since he submitted his report.

Even with the wide variation between the Commissioner’s report and the post mortem report, the Commissioner is adamant that the Guyana Police Force is treating the matter as murder/suicide. The Commissioner did not even seek to make contact with the doctor with a view to have a thorough investigation carried out and to satisfy the family and the public that a proper investigation was being done. We, the family of ASP Murray are not satisfied with the level of interest shown in this matter as it does not appear that this matter was treated very seriously from the inception.

It is apparent that the Guyana Police Force is reluctant to accept the possibility that ASP Murray and Constable Shepherd were both murdered, based on the thrust of their investigation.

In this regard, we are asking that an investigation be launched so that justice can be served.

Yours faithfully,
Jenitta Daniels
Mother of the Deceased