Attorney Found Murdered Outside His Home
Authorities are investigating the suspected murder of Richard Layne, a 35-year-old Attorney-at-Law, who was found dead at his residence at Lot 183 Century Palm Gardens, D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown.
The incident is believed to have occurred between 9:30 p.m. and 10:13 p.m. last night (Wednesday).
According to Police reports, Layne lived at the residence with his friend. Layne’s cousin, Michael Harden, 30, from Eccles, East Bank Demerara, reported that he had visited Layne around 7:00 p.m. that evening.
After spending time together, the two left for Starbucks at MovieTowne, East Coast Demerara, to get coffee and returned home by 7:15 p.m. The friend was reportedly asleep at the time in an upstairs room.
Harden stated that he and Layne were on the veranda until about 8:17 p.m., when he left for his residence. Before leaving, he ensured that both the house and yard gates, which are equipped with automatic locks, were secured. He also noticed Layne’s car, a Jaguar (license plate PYY 2850), parked in the garage.
Later that night, around 10:00 p.m., The friend awoke to use the washroom and then went to the kitchen. Through the window, he saw Layne’s car parked on the bridge outside the premises. Layne was sitting motionless in the driver’s seat, slumped over.
The man attempted to open the car doors but found them locked. He then contacted Layne’s mother, who lives in Campbellville.
Upon her arrival, they tried unsuccessfully to open the car doors. Following the mother’s instructions, he used a hammer to break the driver’s side window, discovering that Layne was bleeding from a neck wound.
Emergency services were called, and Layne was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Detectives processed and photographed the scene, noting two neck wounds on Layne’s body, which was dressed in grey shorts, a grey and black jersey, and brown slippers. The body was taken to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted.
Local residents have been questioned, and nearby CCTV footage is being reviewed as investigations continue.
