Chainsaw operator murdered in Soesdyke, one suspect in custody

Davanan Hosea, a 40-year-old chainsaw operator from the Hillfoot Squatting Area along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, was robbed, beaten and stabbed to death in the wee hours of Sunday.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, reportedly at the hands of several identifiable males, one of whom is now in police custody.

According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Davanan and his brother, Levon Hosea, 36, went to a Chinese restaurant in Coverden, East Bank Demerara (EBD) around 18:00h.

Levon eventually left Davanan at the restaurant. However, around 21:00h, Davanan called Levon, asking him to join him at the Raghoo Sports Bar on the Soesdyke Public Road.

Upon Levon’s arrival, the two brothers purchased alcoholic beverages. During this time, Davanan expressed concern that a group of men at the bar were staring at him suspiciously.

The situation escalated when the men approached Davanan, forcibly taking his valuables in the presence of his brother.

In an attempt to defend his brother, Levon confronted the men, which led to a physical altercation.

The brothers managed to flee from the bar, dashing through Shawnie Gas Station and into a track behind it.

Unfortunately, the assailants pursued them, eventually catching up with Davanan, which led to a violent scuffle.

Levon, who took a different route to escape, later witnessed his brother severely injured. He reported seeing blood on Davanan’s chest as he collapsed along the Hillfoot Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

Upon examination, the police found multiple injuries on Davanan Hosea’s body, including a stab wound to the left side of his abdomen.

Police officers who responded to the scene canvassed the area for surveillance footage. CCTV cameras were found, and efforts are being made to review and extract relevant recordings to aid the investigation.

Davanan’s body was transported to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor. The remains have since been moved to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, pending a post-mortem examination.

Police have detained a 27-year-old salesman who is believed to be connected to the incident.