POLICE in Regional Division # 7 are investigating an alleged murder committed on John José Marciano, a 55-year-old gold miner of One Mile, Wismar, Linden, which occurred on Saturday February 7, 2026, at about 03:45hrs at 14 Miles Issano, Middle Mazaruni River.

According to the police, enquiries disclosed that the deceased was at his mining camp at 14 Miles Issano when an incident reportedly occurred during the early morning hours. He was subsequently discovered slouched on the ground within the mining camp with multiple chop wounds about his body.

A suspected murder weapon (cutlass) was recovered in close proximity to the body.

The body was subsequently escorted to the Bartica Regional Hospital for an official pronouncement.

A 35-year-old female cook of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, is presently in police custody assisting with the investigation.

Acting on information received, a 19-year-old gold miner of Tapakuma, Essequibo Coast, was arrested by police in Anna Regina, Region #2 on Sunday February 8, 2026, at about 07:45hrs in connection with the alleged murder. He is presently in custody pending further investigations, police said.