Ghalee Khan allegedly kills ex-partner, attempts suicide

Last Updated on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, 22:25 by Writer

United States drug convict, Guyanese Ghalee Khan, who was deported to his homeland about two years ago, Tuesday night shot and killed his ex-girlfriend before attempting suicide, police said.

Police said Khan was undergoing surgery, and his condition was considered serious.

Mr Khan was identified by his driver’s licence at the scene of the crime at Lot 706 Recht-Door-Zee, West Bank Demerara, police said.

The dead woman has been identified as 30-year-old Marissa Beete who was employed by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Mr Khan has been taken to a city hospital for emergency medical attention in what appeared to be an attempted suicide after he allegedly killed the woman.

The incident occurred between 18:15 and 19:00 hrs.

The suspect, Khan, 47, who works at Integrated Security Service, is hospitalised in a serious condition, nursing an alleged self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, police said.

Police said initial investigation revealed that the deceased woman and the suspect shared a romantic relationship for the past two years. However, the relationship ended due to an unspecified misunderstanding.

Investigators were told that about 16:15 hrs on Monday, Marissa was at home with her 62-year-old mother, Jennifer Vaughn, when she received a call from the suspect, who told her that he wanted to speak with her. Despite her mom rebuking her for doing so, Marissa opened the door and invited the suspect into the house.

Ms Vaughn told investigators that she got up and went to the back of the house, giving the suspect and her daughter privacy.

“Sometime after, the woman said she heard her daughter call out “Mommy”, followed by a loud explosion. The woman said she immediately rushed to the living room, where she saw her daughter (Marissa) in a slouched-over position on the ground and what appeared to be blood coming from her head.

At the time, the suspect was standing with what appeared to be a gun over the victim’s head. The 62-year-old woman said she ran and held on to the suspect, who fired another shot in an unknown direction. The suspect pushed Jennifer Vaughn to the floor, after which he turned the gun and shot himself once in the head,” police added.

Marissa Beete and Ghalee Khan were both taken to the West Demerara Hospital by public-spirited persons in an unconscious state, where Marissa succumbed to her injuries.

Marissa’s body was checked for any marks of violence, and one bullet-like wound was seen above her right eye. The body was later escorted to the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

At the scene, police recovered the firearm, along with three live rounds of ammunition. The scene was checked for any evidential significance, and items were taken for forensic analysis. Several persons were questioned as investigations continue.

After having been on the run from United States (US) authorities, Mr Khan, who works at a private security firm, was arrested at the John F. Kennedy International Airport. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for cocaine trafficking.

Following a plea bargain, his jail term had been reduced to 18 months after which he was deported.