Five in custody for murder of tour guide

February 4 2026

Police have taken five individuals into custody as investigations intensify into the brutal killing of tour guide and ranch employee Leon “Rasta” Baird.

Authorities are also searching for other persons suspected of having links to cattle rustling in the Rupununi.

Among those detained at the Lethem Police Station are a prominent rancher and his son, a Community Development Officer involved in the beef trade, and one of his employees.

Investigators have also questioned the girlfriend of one of the detained men as part of the ongoing probe.

Law enforcement is additionally seeking a person described as being well known for cattle rustling in both North and South Rupununi, as efforts continue to dismantle suspected criminal networks in the area.

Baird, 38, is believed to have been killed on Friday, January 23, during a confrontation with individuals who allegedly stole two cattle from Wichabai Ranch, where he had worked since his early teens.

His badly burnt remains were later discovered on Monday, January 26, inside a company vehicle at Sand Creek, Rupununi.

Reports indicate that Baird, who also served as Community Policing Group, had previously identified several cattle thieves and had received repeated threats linked to his efforts to protect livestock.

In response to the growing concern over rustling, the Rupununi Livestock Producers Association (RLPA) has launched a hotline for the public to report suspected cattle theft and related criminal activity.

Investigations remain ongoing.