Man kills common-law wife, attempts to commit suicide – police

Last Updated on Saturday, 5 July 2025, 8:15 by Writer

A 38-year-old man allegedly attempted to commit suicide after killing his 50-year-old common-law wife, amid persistent claims that she was cheating, police said Saturday.

The woman has been identified as Bibi Salima Persaud, a housewife of Lot 193 Ivan Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara where the couple lived.

Police said the suspect, mechanic 38-year-old Dinesh “Paul” Ram, called ‘Paul’ is hospitalised under police guard.

He was found in the yard with a greenish substance, suspected to be pesticide, foaming from his mouth.

Police said according to Sankar Persaud, his mother, and the suspect are often engaged in heated arguments. “The suspect accuses his mother of having another man because she is always on her cell phone. However, they always make up after they argue,” police added.

Police said they were informed that on Friday, 4th July 2025, at about 23:00hrs, Sankar Persaud, along with his brother returned home and upon entering the yard, he heard Paul groaning as though he was in a lot of pain.

“He enquired if the suspect was ok and saw him lying in a pool of water in the yard, which had formed due to the heavy rainfall. He immediately began shouting for his mother and got no answer. He then checked the house and found his mother lying motionless on the floor with a wound to her throat, and he immediately summoned the police,” the Guyana Police Force added.

“It was also observed that the victim was lying motionless, face up, with wounds seen on her left side forehead, her mouth, her left wrist, right hand, neck, and face.

A kitchen knife was seen on the floor, covered in a reddish substance suspected to be blood. Also, a bottle of suspected pesticide poison was found near the door of the building,” police added.

Statements are being taken, and the suspect is under police guard at the Diamond Regional Hospital. Investigations are ongoing.