POLICE are investigating the murder of a 78-year-old pensioner, who lived alone but was found in a semi-conscious state, last Saturday, before he succumbed.

Bishnu Persaud had been bound and gagged at his Number Two Village home, in East Canje, Berbice, and was admitted a patient at New Amsterdam Hospital, prior to his death the following day, without regaining consciousness.

A post mortem examination, performed by pathologist Dr Vivikanand Brijmohan on Monday, revealed that the septuagenarian died of cerebral haemorrhage.

Neighbours said they did not see the victim, a widower, as usual during the early hours of Saturday morning and went to his house after several calls yielded no response.

Parmeshwar Seecharan, who lives next door, ventured into Persaud’s house through the verandah and saw the latter lying on the floor of the hallway, groaning.

The injured man’s hands were tied behind his back, his feet bound together and his mouth gagged.

It was reported that, although the house was ransacked, nothing was missing and a gold ring remained on one of Persaud’s fingers.

His housekeeper, Chandra Devi Ramkissoon said she had last seen her employer on Friday afternoon at 17:00 h when she left his home.