A CORONER’S inquest is expected to commence today (Tuesday, March 24, 2020), into the death of Ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldier Rolex Clay, 22, who was found hanging from a tree on March 03, 2011 at Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast
An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdiction, and is held to determine the cause of a person’s death.

In Guyana, a sitting magistrate who acts as the coroner empanels a jury, after which the inquest is conducted.

Magistrate Esther Sam will preside over the inquest at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court with a five-member jury to determine whether anyone was criminally responsible for Clay’s death. A total of five witnesses are expected to be called.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that, on the day in question, Rolex Clay had helped his father, Robert Clay, to repair a gate to their yard in Hoppie Street, Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast.

After completing the task, he left to visit his grandmother, at her home, a short distance away, but, instead, took off his jersey, tied it to a supporting beam of the bottom flat of their two-storey house and hanged himself.

His body was found dangling from the jersey but his family could not offer a motive for what the young man did.