THREE men have been remanded to prison after being charged with the murders of dozens of passengers who died in the sinking of the MV Barima, the deadliest maritime disaster in modern Guyanese history.
Three men charged in connection with the MV Barima tragedy appeared before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman on Tuesday and were jointly charged with murder contrary to common law.
They are 40-year-old Captain Kevin Price, called “KP”, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara (ECD); 42-year-old Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts of Meadow Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD); and 33-year-old Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
The charge alleges that on July 18, 2026, at a location 9.3 nautical miles on a bearing of 040 degrees off the Essequibo Coast at Devonshire Castle, in the Essequibo Magisterial District, County of Essequibo, the three men murdered 66 named persons and other persons unknown.
The named victims are Kevin Wilson, Claymont King, Oxwell John, Roma Mendonca, Nathaniel Matabheek, Nathalia Matabheek, Rachel Wells Matabheek, Ezekiel Matabheek, Cheriannys Valenzuela, Orin Clarke, Edith Gordon, Omar Harris Paul Seapersaud, Andriel Bautisa, Youlanda Marks, Gwenette Marks, Shenira Smith, Cleiveliz Fraser, Vivianna Saddurddin, Argelys Kelly Williams, Devon Mars, Robina Hernandez and Tendhi Standford.
Also listed are Adans Williams, Ranaldo Poon, Aarave Daniels, Marcia Beharry, Leonard Persaud, Mariam Bernard, Ravindra Singh, Shivana LaCruz Ramsindo, Christiani Rodrigues, Annalisa Murray, Owen Arthur, Loveisa Bovell, Joshua Arthur, Ranaldo Pickering, Bibi Mohamed, Sylvester Peters, Shawn John, Akelah Rodrigues, Vishawn Ramjattan, Nelly Duesberry, Samara Manoharlall and Sherlon Joseph.
The remaining named victims are Timar Manoharlall, Dellon Gaskin, Percy France, Alicia Atkinson, Dwyane Forbes, Orin Europe, Orwin Europe, Justin Mury, Odessa Mury, Reshana David, Kishana Sam, Tiona Sam, Elizebeth Bowin, Argany Williams, Omarions Europe Jacob Jerome, Mark Abrams, Ashleena Bovel, Kyle Thomas, Carlton Bennett, Navessa Bovell, Martin Ishmeal and Jason Headley, along with other persons unknown.
The charge was not read in detail, and the accused were not required to enter pleas as murder is an indictable offence.
Chief Magistrate Latchman remanded the three men to prison and transferred the matter to the Charity Magistrate’s Court for further proceedings. The case has been adjourned to August 3, 2026.
The charges arise from the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima, which was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma in Region One (Barima-Waini) when it capsized approximately 9.3 nautical miles off the Essequibo Coast near Devonshire Castle.
The passenger and cargo vessel was carrying about 179 passengers and crew when it encountered difficulties and overturned, throwing many persons into the Atlantic Ocean while others became trapped inside the vessel.
A total of 73 bodies has been recovered from the MV Barima disaster, while 76 people were rescued. Authorities say 30 people remain unaccounted for out of the estimated 179 passengers.
The sinking triggered Guyana’s largest maritime search, rescue and recovery operation.
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard, Guyana Police Force (GPF), Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), Guyana Fire Service (GPF), Civil Defence Commission (CDC), local fishermen, private vessels and international partners joined efforts to search for survivors and recover victims.
Over the following days, dozens of survivors were rescued, while recovery teams retrieved bodies from the sea and the wreckage. Despite extensive searches covering hundreds of square nautical miles, several passengers remained unaccounted for.
The government subsequently announced a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, while police launched a criminal investigation into the events leading up to the vessel’s departure and eventual sinking.
That investigation has now resulted in murder charges being instituted against the vessel’s captain, mate and chief superintendent, who are accused killing the named victims and other persons whose identities are yet to be confirmed.