50-Y-0 Woman Brutally Murdered by Husband, House Set Ablaze
September 3 2025
Police are investigating a horrific murder and arson at Lot 22 Second Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, where a 50-year-old woman was brutally slain by her reputed husband before their home was set on fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The victim, identified as Paula Abraham, was discovered lying lifeless on a blood-soaked mattress in her bedroom, clad in a yellow vest and black shorts.
She bore a gaping stab wound to the left side of her neck, and the sheets and clothing around her were stained with blood.
Disturbingly, although flames had engulfed parts of the house, Abraham’s body and the mattress on which she lay bore no burn marks — indicating she was killed before the fire was set.
According to investigators, Abraham shared the lower flat of the two-storey wooden and concrete house with her reputed husband, 46-year-old Ishwar Singh, and their daughter, 24-year-old Preeta Singh. The daughter told police that she was awakened around 1:30 a.m. by her mother’s terrified screams. Moments later, she felt the heat of flames spreading through the home.
She managed to escape through a southern door, raising an alarm as neighbours rushed out to help. Flames were already consuming furniture in the hall. Witnesses reported seeing Singh staggering from the house through a northern door, his body covered in burns.
The Guyana Fire Service was called and quickly doused the blaze, but the upper flat of the home was gutted while the lower flat was partially destroyed. It was only after the fire was contained that Abraham’s bloodied body was discovered in her room.
Singh, who had a history of abusing and threatening the victim, was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by relatives under police guard. However, by 10:10 a.m., he succumbed to his injuries. His body now lies in the hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
The shocking crime has left the Cummings Lodge community reeling. Neighbours described hearing chilling screams and later witnessing the blaze tear through the home.
Several persons have since been questioned as investigators continue their probe into what is being treated as a gruesome murder followed by arson.
