THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) said Tuesday that investigations continue into the deaths of Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Ivelaw Murray and Constable Kevin Shepherd which occurred on July 4, at Springlands, Corentyne,Berbice.
A Police release said the Force’s handwriting expert has confirmed that the suicide note found in his bedroom on the day of his death was written by Murray. The words said: “Sorry Mom. I love you and always will.”
The release also said the results of a test, conducted by the Police Forensics Department,revealed no trace of gunpowder residue on Murray’s hands.
The statement said the forensic analyst, Superintendent Stephen Greaves explained that the presence of a significant amount of blood on each of the swabs taken from Murray’s hands made it unlikely that traces of gunpowder residue could have been detected.
Additionally, there is no guarantee that detectable quantities of gunpowder residue will be deposited on the hands each time a firearm is discharged, the Police said.
The statement said, in testing for gunpowder residue, the Police Forensic Laboratory utilises a combination of chemical examinations and the recently acquired laser induced breakdown spectroscopy.
Meanwhile Police Commissioner Henry Greene maintained that, based on information received, Murray and Shepherd were murder/suicide victims who shared a close relationship.