RENATO Teodoro Ferreira de Paranaíba, a Brazilian Forensic Genetics Expert, on Monday testified via Skype in the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of Babita Sarjou.
Sarjou’s ex-husband, Sharnandand Narine, called ‘Anand’ of Lot 51 Seaforth Street, Campbellville, Georgetown and Darel Ponton called ‘Yankee’ of Lot 54 Broad Street, Charlestown are on remand for the woman’s murder.
Paranaiba, who worked at the National Institute of Criminalistics, Brazilian Federal Police since the year 2003, testified before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan via Skype with the aid of a Portuguese interpreter.

The expert’s testimony is based upon the DNA analysis (previously sent over to Brazil) which was taken from Sarjou’s remains.
Attorneys-at-law Ronald Trotman and Hubert Rodney are representing the two defendants while the matter is being prosecuted by Inspector Gordon Mansfield.
The PI is adjourned until July 10, 2017.
It is alleged that on November 4, 2010, Sarjou left her Timehri, East Bank Demerara home, informing her mother that she was going to meet her husband, Narine, and son at the Kitty Seawall to view the annual Diwali motorcade. When she did not return home that night, her mother became worried and filed a missing person’s report.

After many months of searching and treating the case as a missing person, the case was closed. However in 2016, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum re-opened the case, treating it as a homicide, since new information had surfaced.
Following new investigations into the matter, Sarjou’s estranged husband was questioned, and he subsequently led the investigating team to the shallow grave which had been dug in his own backyard.
Investigations have also revealed that Narine had paid Ponton GY$50,000 and had promised him a trip to Trinidad if he killed Sarjou.