— says recovered items, CCTV footage and digital evidence lead to confession
THE 23-year-old man arrested in connection with the brutal murder of seven-year-old Adriel Aftab Mohamed has confessed to the crime after being confronted with what police described as “compelling digital evidence” placing him at the scene.
Deputy Commissioner and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Sunday revealed that investigators secured a major breakthrough after presenting the suspect with evidence showing his presence at the Zeelugt Phase Three Housing Scheme home at the time of the attack.
“The 23-year-old murder suspect who remains in police custody was confronted by detectives with compelling digital evidence which showed him at the crime scene at the material time,” Blanhum said.
According to the Crime Chief, the suspect was unable to deny being at the location and subsequently confessed to investigators, detailing what transpired after he entered the home.
Police have also recovered a knife from the crime scene, which the suspect reportedly identified as the weapon used to kill the child and attack the elderly woman who survived.
“Investigators have been able to recover a knife from the crime scene, which the suspect confirmed was the weapon that he used to kill the victim and attempted the same act on the female occupant of the house,” Blanhum disclosed.
The investigation also uncovered evidence linking the suspect to another property in the vicinity shortly before the attack.
When presented with additional digital evidence, the suspect reportedly admitted that he had first entered a nearby yard but abandoned plans to enter the house after hearing movement inside.
Police said the suspect fled the yard in haste, leaving behind a pair of slippers and a music player.
“These items were recovered by investigators and he identified them as his property,” the Crime Chief said.
Detectives have also recovered clothing allegedly worn by the suspect during the attack. The garments, along with other evidence collected during the investigation, will be submitted to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.
Investigators further learned that the suspect reported for work on the morning of the murder with a visible injury to his hand.
Police said the man’s employer informed investigators that the wound was not present when the suspect left work the previous day.
According to Blanhum, the suspect admitted that the injury was sustained while carrying out the attack.
“The suspect did confirm that the cut on his hand was sustained while he was committing the acts,” the Crime Chief said.
The murder occurred during the early hours of Friday at Phase Three, Zeelugt New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo.
Adriel was found dead inside the home, while his 72-year-old great-grandmother, Halima Itwari, suffered injuries during the attack and was rushed to hospital, where she remains a patient.
Police investigations are continuing as detectives work to complete the case file and await forensic examinations of the evidence recovered.
