Homeowner’s tip leads to shallow grave discovery

July 11 2026

A foul odour and a patch of freshly disturbed earth in a backyard led to the discovery of the partly decomposed body of a missing 20-year-old housewife buried in a shallow grave at Chelsea Park, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.

The victim has been identified as Kerrian Stanford of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, who had been missing since July 3.

Police have since arrested 24-year-old Travis James, the victim’s boyfriend, a porter who rented the lower flat of the property.

According to information received, Stanford left her Ann’s Grove home on July 3 after telling relatives she was travelling to Mahaica to visit her partner. She was not seen again.

BIG Smith News Watch understands that James has reportedly told investigators that he killed Stanford during an argument, panicked, and buried her body in the backyard.

The grim discovery was made after the homeowner became suspicious of a persistent foul smell coming from the northern section of her backyard. She also noticed what appeared to be freshly dug earth covered with sand.

When she questioned her tenant about it, he reportedly claimed he had placed the sand there because of an unpleasant odour coming from the area.

As the stench intensified, the woman contacted police on Friday, July 10.

Detectives responded to the property and, while searching the backyard, noticed what appeared to be a human foot protruding from a shallow grave. They subsequently unearthed Stanford’s partly decomposed remains.

Acting on further information, investigators travelled to Enmore, East Coast Demerara, where James was arrested.

Stanford’s body has been taken to Bailey’s Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Police investigations are continuing.