BREAKING: Three in Custody Over Puruni Miner’s Murder

August 20 2025

Police have detained three suspects in connection with the death of 27-year-old Christopher Stephens, a miner of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, whose body was discovered floating in the Puruni River on Monday, August 18, 2025.

According to investigators, the men, described as persons of interest, were escorted to the Bartica Police Station on Wednesday, August 20, where they remain in custody assisting detectives.

A key eyewitness has told police he saw a man he knew armed with a cutlass and striking Stephens several times. The witness claimed he attempted to intervene during the altercation.

When Stephens’ body was recovered around 06:20 hrs on Monday, it was found face down in the river about two minutes from the Puruni landing. He was clad in a black short-sleeve jersey, orange boxers, and short blue pants. Police noted he bore several marks of violence, including a suspected chop wound to the forehead.

The body was later positively identified by the victim’s sister, 25-year-old Catianna Stephens.

The Guyana Police Force has since launched a full investigation into the incident, which is believed to have occurred on the evening of Saturday, August 16, at Puruni Landing.