DPP Directs Inquest Following Death of Delon Lawrence in Custody
October 18 2025
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ordered an inquest into the death of 38-year-old block maker Delon Lawrence, who died while in police custody on March 16, 2025.
A file on the case was submitted to the DPP in June following an investigation by the Guyana Police Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).
The inquest is expected to examine the circumstances that led to Lawrence’s death, particularly the actions of police ranks who reportedly rescued him from a mob attack but failed to take him for medical treatment despite visible injuries.
Lawrence, of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, was first detained at the La Grange Police Station, located within walking distance of an ambulance service, and later transferred to the La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station, where he was found dead.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Lawrence suffered subdural hemorrhage due to blunt trauma to the head, compounded by multiple fractured ribs.
Despite having video evidence showing civilians dragging and beating Lawrence, there has been no indication that police have identified any of his attackers. The incident also raised serious concerns after it was revealed that officials from Regional Division #3 concealed Lawrence’s death from both his family and the media for several weeks. During that time, he was listed as “unidentified” at the Ezekiel Funeral Home.
A public statement was only released after video footage surfaced showing the mob assault and a photograph of Lawrence’s body lying on the floor of the La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station.
In a report issued by Regional Division #3, police claimed that Lawrence had stabbed a female passenger while traveling in a Route 31 minibus along La Grange Public Road. The report alleged that he was subdued by passengers and later restrained by responding officers after he allegedly attacked one of the ranks.
Police also stated that Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) were contacted to transport Lawrence to the hospital. However, records from the ambulance service reportedly show no calls from police on March 15, the day of the incident. The service was only contacted around 2:00 a.m. on March 16, by which time Lawrence had already died.
The upcoming inquest will aim to determine whether negligence or misconduct contributed to Lawrence’s death while in custody.
