Essequibo farmer charged with murder of friend

A 23-year-old farmer of Lot 491 Lima Sands has been charged with the murder of his friend, 46-year-old Gary Melville, also known as “Tonna.” The incident is alleged to have occurred between the evening of Friday, June 27th, and the early hours of Saturday, June 28th, 2025.

The accused, Saif Majid, appeared today at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court before Her Worship Tamieka Clarke, where the charge of murder was formally read to him. Majid was not required to plead and has been remanded to prison until his next court appearance, scheduled for July 29th, 2025.

According to information from Regional Division Two, the alleged murder occurred at Lima Sands, where both the accused and deceased resided. Investigations revealed that Majid and Melville, who were described as friends, were seen at a local shop around 8:00 PM on Friday night consuming alcohol with others.

A female shopkeeper told police that Majid was drinking High Wine while Melville consumed 592 beers. The two were seated at the same table when the shopkeeper reportedly overheard Majid complain that Melville had burned him with a cigarette. A scuffle then broke out between the two men.

The shopkeeper noted that during the altercation, the victim ended up on the ground while the suspect was observed bleeding from the head. Another woman intervened to separate the men. The victim then walked away heading north, followed about ten minutes later by Majid on a motorcycle.

Around 5:30 AM the following morning, a 48-year-old resident of the area stumbled upon Melville’s motionless body lying on the eastern side of the Lima Sands public road. Authorities were alerted immediately.

Police who responded to the scene observed visible injuries to the deceased’s face, both feet, the back of his hands, right knee, and other parts of his body. The body was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital, where Melville was pronounced dead on arrival. His remains have since been transported to the hospital mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.

Majid was arrested later that day. He had visible injuries to his left hand, head, and knee, and was treated at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital before being taken into police custody.