TEN years after the brutal killing of Joan Durant, who was found buried in the unfinished bathroom of her Melanie Damishana North, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home, her 80-year-old husband on Monday confessed to the crime.

Gordon Durant appeared before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court for the capital offence of murder. However, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, which alleged that between June 26-28, 2012, at Melanie Damishana North, he murdered his wife.

The state’s case was presented by prosecutor Latifiah Elliot, while attorney-at-law Dexter Smartt is on record for Gordon.

The matter has been adjourned until September 15, 2022, for the presentation of a probation report and sentencing.

According to reports, the couple lived in a one-storey house at Melanie Damishana North. It is alleged that Gordon was abusive to his wife.

The woman was last seen alive on June 26, 2012. Her relatives subsequently went to her home and Durant allegedly told them that she had packed a bag and left the house. However, a report was later made to the police station.

On June 28, 2012, the couple’s son returned home and discovered a rancid stench emanating from inside. The police were summoned and after a search, Joan’s decomposing remains were found inside an unfinished bathroom under a heap of sand.

Gordon was arrested at the scene and allegedly admitted to killing the woman because she had threatened to leave the marriage.