Pregnant shallow grave victim died from asphyxia, spinal injuries -PM

July 13 2026

A post-mortem examination has found that 20-year-old Kerrian Stanford, whose decomposing body was discovered in a shallow grave at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, died from asphyxia and severe spinal injuries.

Asphyxia can occur when a victim is smothered or strangled.

The findings come as police prepare to charge 24-year-old Travis James, a porter of Mahaica, who has reportedly admitted to killing his pregnant girlfriend during an argument before burying her body after panicking. He is expected to appear in court shortly.

James was detained on Friday, July 10, after police unearthed Stanford’s remains from the backyard of a Mahaica house where he was a tenant.

Stanford had been reported missing since July 3, after leaving her Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara home to visit Jackman.

The murder came to light after James’s 63-year-old landlady noticed a foul odour coming from her backyard and observed a fresh mound of dirt and sand.

According to reports, James told the woman he had dumped the sand because of a bad smell in the area.

Growing suspicious, the landlady contacted police. When investigators searched the property, they discovered a human foot protruding from a shallow grave. Further excavation revealed Stanford’s decomposing remains.

James was subsequently arrested at Enmore, East Coast Demerara, and remains in police custody pending his court appearance.