–  suspect confesses he was hired to commit the murder

THE search for the missing Canadian man in the Upper-Corentyne area came to an end following a confession from one of the suspects in custody, said he was hired to kill and abduct the young man by a rice farmer who reportedly owes the grandfather money for rice lands.

The badly burnt remains of Nicholas Jaipaul, 23, was found among tires in a clump of bushes, some 30 meters from the Moleson Public Road, East Berbice Corentyne.

The suspected murderer is a son of one of the maids employed by Nicholas’ grandfather, Ramkissoon Jairam, 86, a former rice miller of Lot 42, Number 69 Village, East Berbice Corentyne.

The suspect had befriended Nicholas and was at the young man’s home hours before his disappearance.

Nicholas, 23, a Canadian citizen, arrived in Guyana in January and was scheduled to return in May; however, due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions, he was unable to leave the country. While in Guyana, he stayed at his grandfather’s residence.

The suspect was arrested on Wednesday, after Jaipaul went missing between 19:00 hours on Sunday evening and 05:00 hours on Monday morning.
After three days of intense interrogation by ranks of the Major Crime Unit, one of the suspects in custody told investigators of the crime.  On Thursday morning, the main suspect allegedly confessed that he was recruited to kidnap and kill the young man for someone whose name was only given as “Brickhead”.
He was reportedly promised a large sum of money for the “hit” and took investigators to the site where a skull and other small skeletal remains of Nicholas were found.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the act stemmed from a matter currently engaging the attention of the court involving “Brickhead” and the victim’s grandfather. Sources revealed that “Brickhead” owes monies for rental of rice lands and is refusing to pay. He allegedly contracted the suspect to befriend, kidnap and kill the grandson of his rival as reprisal for his decision to take him to
court.

The suspect, after confessing to the crime, took investigators to the patch of land at Moleson Creek where the charred remains of Nicholas were found.

As word of the demise of the 23-year-old spread, family members gathered at the scene and a relative was able to confirm that the burnt remains were indeed that of Nicholas.

An onsite autopsy was performed by Dr. Nehaul Singh and the remains were taken to the forensic laboratory where a DNA sample will be taken to verify that it is the remains of Nicholas.

Meanwhile, relatives have expressed outrage and shock that young man lost his life in such a horrific manner.

“He now starting life and is so humble and innocent and does not trouble anyone. He did not deserve this. I hope the murderers get brought to justice swiftly,” one relative said.

The visibly shaken grandfather was unable to speak after he heard the news of his grandson’s demise. As investigations continue, six persons were arrested, including the alleged mastermind.