Police in Region Nine are investigating the alleged murder of 25-year-old Jonnah Pedro, a Brazilian labourer who was fatally stabbed on March 10, 2025, at Karasabai Village, South Pakaraimas.
The suspect, 45-year-old Michael Francis, an unemployed resident of Rukumuta Village, is hospitalised under police guard after allegedly turning the knife on himself following the attack.
According to police reports, Pedro, who resided in Normandie, Brazil, crossed into Guyana earlier that day to collect his government cash grant at the RDC office in Karasabai. There, he met up with his mother, stepfather, and 18-year-old stepsister, who had also traveled from Rukumuta Village for the same purpose.

After receiving their cash grant cheques, the group went to a nearby shop and consumed Brazilian beers before heading to the home of a relative, Quincyann Albert, 34, where the situation escalated.
During a conversation, Francis began discussing the recent murder of his brother, Moses Francis, who was killed in Rukumuta Village on March 8, 2025. Becoming aggressive, he began cursing and making threats to avenge his brother’s death.
Pedro, his stepson, attempted to calm him down, but this angered the suspect. In the presence of family members, Francis allegedly pulled a kitchen knife from his haversack and stabbed Pedro multiple times in the head, right armpit, and right shoulder.
Pedro attempted to flee but collapsed a short distance away.

As Pedro lay wounded, his mother and sister tried to restrain Francis, but he overpowered them and stabbed himself in the chest.
Both men were rushed to the Karasabai District Hospital, where Pedro succumbed to his injuries. Francis was later transferred to the Lethem Regional Hospital, where he remains under police guard in serious condition.
The police have launched a full investigation into the tragic incident.