FOLLOWING a story carried by this publication on June 18, 2014, titled “Mother pleads for public’s help in solving son’s murder” there has been no developments in the probe into the June 9, 2014 murder of 17-year-old Bhaker Azeez, whose body bearing stab wounds was found on Ogle Access Road, East Coast Demerara.

However, relatives yesterday said although there are no new developments, they have been requested by the sleuths to hand over Azeez’s cell phone which may aid in the investigation and they have surrendered it to the ranks at Sparendaam Police Station.
It was noted that he had received a call via his cell phone prior to leaving home and he was overheard telling the caller, “I can’t make it now” but he subsequently went out and never returned home.
Relatives yesterday disclosed that since the murder of their loved one they have noticed a worrying trend in which his friends, who used to show up on a daily basis at his residence, have stopped coming around following his demise.
They added that they did not even show up for his funeral, prompting them to believe that they know something about his murder and so they are keeping away.
However, persons with information are asked to contact relatives via telephone numbers 220-0991, 684-6016 or they can call the nearest police station.
A post-mortem examination was performed on Azeez of Lot 129 Third Street, Montrose, East Coast Demerara, by Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, who gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the heart.
Azeez was found on the Ogle Access Road, ECD, on June 09, 2014, with wounds to the body and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he subsequently succumbed.
The former employee of Buddy’s Auto Sales, located at Goedverwagting, also on the East Coast Demerara, was last seen alive on June 8, 2014 shortly after he left home for an unknown destination with friends.
Grandfather of the deceased, Abdool Kadir, 61, told this publication that his grandson was at home when a friend, who also resides in the village, came to call him out and he then left home and returned sometime later.
He recalled that upon his grandson’s return home he overheard him on the cell phone saying to someone “I can’t make it now,” then he hung up and went to the upper flat of the house where he resided with his sister.
The elderly man added that after he retired to bed in the lower flat of the two-storey house, Azeez went out.
He explained that the youth was in the habit of leaving home without informing them where he was going and with whom, so they are unaware how he met his demise.
Azeez did not return home and they began enquiring of his whereabouts since he had left his cell phone at home. That evening they learnt via a television newscast that an unidentified body was found and they decided to show up with the police to see whether it was their loved one.
At the GPHC morgue their worst fears were confirmed following the identification of the body from the various tattoos he had on his chest – the names of his mother, sister and niece and a cross and a rose.
Azeez’s mother, Zabida Azeez, told this publication that her son was not working for sometime until he secured a job with Buddy’s Auto Sales but he lost that job and was at home.
She could not say what may have transpired leading up to his death or who would have wanted to harm her son since she lives elsewhere. But they are seeking answers.
The grieving woman had no idea how he ended up at the location where his body was found and is hoping the police can crack the case and bring the perpetrator (s) to justice.
Police had reported that at about 20:30 hours on June 09, 2014, a man of East Indian descent was found with suspected stab wounds and taken to the GPHC where he succumbed while receiving medical attention.

(By Michel Outridge)