Cops granted more time to detain prime suspect in murder of Gafoor’s manager

As the probe into the murder of Gafoor’s Manager Terry Lackhan continues, the Guyana Police Force was yesterday granted an additional 72-hours to keep the prime suspect in custody.

Commander of ‘A’ Division Clifton Hicken told Stabroek News last evening that an application was made to the High Court for the extra time, which was granted.

Lackhan, 55, of Lot 39 Herstelling, EBD was found dead in his Herstelling, East Bank Demerara home last Thursday with a rope around his neck by a neighbour.

Terry Lackhan
Terry Lackhan

This newspaper had learnt that the neighbour heard a commotion in the upper flat but dismissed it since it was customary to hear noise whenever Lackhan drank alcohol. However, she became suspicious when she later saw an individual running out of the yard.

She ventured upstairs to check on Lackhan, since calls made to him went unanswered and found his body in a room with a rope around his neck. The police were summoned.

The prime suspect was arrested shortly after the discovery was made and has since remained in custody.

His accomplice managed to escape and efforts are being made to have him apprehended.

This newspaper was reliably informed that both of the suspects are employed as labourers at Gafoor’s Industrial Complex at Beterverwagting, where Lackhan was a manager.

Stabroek News was told that during questioning, the prime suspect said he first visited Lackhan’s house last Sunday and was reportedly invited to return on Thursday evening, which he did taking along an accomplice.

The suspect reportedly told the police that after they beat Lackhan to death, they tried to stage a suicide by tying a rope around his neck and attaching the other end to a clothes stand in his bedroom. They then left the house with a computer and some clothing, but were still in the area when the police arrived.

They were approached by the police, and one of them was arrested, while the other dropped the bag containing the computer and clothing and fled.