THE boyfriend of the teenage mother who was found afloat in the Berbice River on June 18 with her face and torso disfigured, will be charged with her murder.

Dickwon Adams of Plantation Mount Sinai, commonly referred to as Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, will have his matter heard via Zoom in the Linden Magistrate’s Court, but he will appear in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Friday, confirmed Police Public Relation Officer Superintendent, Jairam Ramlakhan.

The discovery of the body of 17-year-old Melissa Somah, called Lisa, was made after policemen on marine patrol were informed of the presence of a female body, which had been seen afloat in the vicinity of Gaetroy Village, Upper Berbice River. The female was dressed in a multi-coloured blouse, a red tights and a polka dot bra.
The victim was faceless and hairless. The skeletal remains of her right arm were visible. It is suspected that her body tissue was eaten by fishes.

A post mortem examination, performed by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, determined that death was due to drowning compounded with a trauma to her head. The deceased was two months pregnant. The foetus was said to be in the fallopian tube.
According to reports, during the month of March last, Melissa Somah left her three-year-old son and her parents, Paul Somah and Shondel Cobena’s, home at Lot 58 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam. Her boyfriend had accompanied her to De Veldt, Berbice River, where he lived and worked with his cousin, Allan Samuels.

During the period, an intimate relationship commenced between the teen and Samuels. The suspect then became physically abusive.

The teenager and Samuels were waiting on the wharf for a boat to go to a party at Gaetroy Village. The suspect, who was returning home from work, saw the couple and became enraged. The teen was allegedly slapped and kicked. Subsequently, the suspect allegedly attacked Samuels by lashing him about his head with a piece of wood. Samuels fell in a semi-conscious state. Thereafter, Somah received several lashes and kicks about her body causing her to jump into the river. Samuels reportedly jumped behind, but was unable to save her. Fortunately, he grabbed on a branch, until he was rescued.
Melissa Shanie Somah is expected to be buried on Friday.