By Jeune Bailey Vankeric

THE death of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal, Kevon Samuel Nicholson, 23, of Lot 11 Levi Dam, Angoys Avenue, an area on the eastern fringe of the New Amsterdam township, has left his parents in a state of shock.

His mother, Cheryl Nicholson, known as “Sister Donna”, said she received the news that there was an incident at the Camp Stephenson where her youngest child was based. But the rumour was not confirmed until much later when a telephone call was received from a member of the Guyana Defence Force, who also informed the family that a team would be visiting shortly.

Once confirmed, the news sent shock waves through the family, who are still trying overcome the death of another sibling.
It was almost four years ago when Kevon’s sister, Lonette Prince nee Nicholson, an auxiliary staff attached to the National Psychiatric Hospital, succumbed at her workplace after receiving 11 stab wounds about her body, allegedly by the hands of her husband, Sheldon Prince, who has since been charged.

Kevon’s death has opened the wounds, which were never healed, his mother said.
“He came home and spent a week. He returned just Tuesday. I did not get to see him off, as I was sleeping. But, on Saturday, we went to the supermarket and we shopped. Everything I wanted, he bought… this is so hard… why Lord! Why” she cried.

“My son joined the Guyana Defence Force three years ago. It was just recently he was promoted… now this… life can be so unfair… so unfair,” she said.
The deceased soldier leaves to mourn his parents, Micheal and Cheryl Nicholson and three siblings.

The quietude of the communities near the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Base Camp Stephenson at Timehri was shattered on Thursday morning after a stack of pyrotechnics exploded, killing Nicholson and two soldiers. Two soldiers were also injured in the blast. An investigation has been launched into the incident.