Essequibo man fatally stabbed by drunk youth

Dead: Kevin Bettencourt
Dead: Kevin Bettencourt

A Vilvoorden, Essequibo Coast labourer was fatally stabbed on Old Year’s night, after he was attacked by the drunken relative of an acquaintance.

Dead is Kevin Bettencourt, 23.

Bettencourt, who was stabbed in the neck and chest, was taken to the Suddie Hospital in an unconscious state, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The incident occurred around 9.30 pm on  Monday, at Pomona, Essequibo Coast.

The suspect, a 20-year-old resident of Pomona Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, fled the scene and was subsequently apprehended by the police. He is currently in custody and is likely to be charged soon.

The alleged murder weapon, a knife, was recovered at the scene.

Police said investigations revealed that Bettencourt went to the residence asking for someone, when the suspect, who was reportedly intoxicated, requested that he leave the premises.

The suspect and Bettencourt were subsequently involved in a confrontation, during which the suspect allegedly whipped out a knife and stabbed him.

Stabroek News understands that the house where Bettencourt went asking for the individual, belongs to a relative of the suspect.

At the time, the suspect was allegedly visiting his relative, and had begun imbibing with some other men.

An autopsy yesterday revealed that Bettencourt died as a result of perforation of the heart due to a stab wound.