Probe underway as prisoner dies in Police custody

March 24 2026

A 30-year-old man who was in custody at the Cove and John Police Station, East Coast Demerara, has died under circumstances that are now under investigation.

Dead is Jordan Payne of South Haslington, East Coast Demerara.

A police report indicated that he became unresponsive around 00:10 hrs on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, while being held at the station.

Information provided by the police states that Payne had been in custody in connection with a domestic violence matter.

He reportedly complained of feeling unwell earlier and was escorted for medical attention at the Enmore Regional Hospital, where he was seen and treated by a doctor before being returned to the station.

Further reports indicate that he later complained again of feeling unwell while in custody and subsequently became unresponsive.

He was rushed back to the Enmore Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to the information, no marks of violence were observed on the body, which is at the hospital’s mortuary pending a post-mortem examination.

Family and friends of the deceased have put forward a different account, alleging that police brutality and negligence contributed to the man’s death.

The matter remains under investigation.