Attorney’s Death: New Developments as Housemate Hospitalized After Attempting Suicide

In a dramatic turn of events following the death of attorney-at-law Richard Layne, his housemate, Tony Sulker, is now hospitalized after allegedly consuming poison.

The incident comes just a day after Layne’s tragic death, which is currently under investigation.

Sulker, who had been living with Layne for the past four years at Century Palm Gardens, D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown, was interviewed by detectives on August 8, 2024.

According to a police report, in his statement, Sulker recounted that he and Layne became friends after meeting at a function at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. He denied any intimate relationship with Layne and stated that they had never experienced any conflicts.

On the night of Layne’s death, Sulker claimed he was at home when Layne’s cousin, Michael Harding, visited. Shortly after, Harding and Layne left the house together.

Sulker stated that he went to his room around 8:00 PM and fell asleep. He awoke at approximately 10:00 PM, went to the kitchen for water, and noticed Layne’s car parked outside with Layne slumped motionless in the driver’s seat.

Sulker said he immediately ran outside and observed what appeared to be blood on Layne’s neck. He then contacted Layne’s mother, Penelope Lewis, and picked her up from a nearby location.

Upon their return, they attempted to open Layne’s car, but the doors were locked. Following instructions from Layne’s mother, Sulker broke the car’s window and discovered a wound on Layne’s neck. Emergency services were called, but Layne was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sulker denied any involvement in Layne’s death, asserting that he was not with Layne at the time of the incident. However, further investigation, including CCTV footage from Sheriff Street, raised questions about his account. The footage showed a car matching the description of Layne’s vehicle with a man resembling Sulker exiting and re-entering the car after purchasing food from a nearby restaurant.

In a separate incident today, August 9, 2024, Penelope Lewis reported finding Sulker in a critical condition at the home he shared with Layne. Upon her arrival, she discovered Sulker lying near the door with vomit and a green substance around him, suspected to be poison. Sulker was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he is currently receiving treatment. His condition is reported to be critical.

During a search of the premises, police found two bottles containing a green liquid, suspected to be poison in Sulker’s car. The clothing Sulker was seen wearing in the CCTV footage was also found, washed and dried, in the house’s washing machine.

Police have taken DNA samples from Sulker as part of the ongoing investigation into Layne’s death.