The two police constables Leedon Aaron, 25, and Marlon Letlow, 27, who were discovered dead on Wednesday evening on a trail between Paramakatoi and Karispuri, may have been murdered.
The two constables went missing since Sunday and were suspected to have been killed as a result of an alleged racket of “shaking down” miners in the mining community. Investigators believe that the men’s deaths may be related to the frequent complaints by miners that some police ranks were demanding monies and gold in the same area that the two constables were found dead. There are even reports of collusion with Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) field staff. Guyana Times understands that Letlow and Aaron were reportedly engaged in such acts.

Dead : Leedon Aaron

Police reports stated that a burnt stump at the scene suggested that the men may have been tied, shot and then set alight. On the other hand, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud stated that the police have received information that the two men were burnt, but with respect to the shooting, he noted that only the post-mortem examinations can prove same. Seelall noted that a team of investigators were deployed to the area, with the hope of finding out what really transpired.
The crime chief noted that he does not want to speculate on the matter, and as such, will await a full report from the investigators. The bodies of the two police ranks have been transported to Georgetown and are at the Lyken’s Funeral home, and are await post-mortem examinations today. The remains of the policemen were completely burnt. Aaron was burnt beyond recognition while Letlow suffered burns to some parts of his body.
The police in a statement stated that the body of Letlow bore a gunshot wound to the back, while Aaron was found a short distance away with the upper part of the body partially burnt. The two ranks, according to police spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker were stationed at the Kato Police Station, and left on patrol duties on Sunday last on an all terrain vehicle.  He added that the weapon that was uplifted by Constable Letlow was recovered along with eight rounds and eight spent shells, but the .38 revolver that was signed for by Aaron has not been found, however, one spent 12-gauge shotgun cartridge was found at the scene.
Meanwhile, relatives are furious at the police for not providing them with the necessary answers to their many questions. Bernadette Aaron, mother of Constable Leedon Aaron said from reports received, her son was tied to a tree, shot with a 12-guage shotgun and then set alight.
She said that a senior police officer on Wednesday told the family that her son was at a dance in the community, and it is believed that he might have been targeted. She said the last time she spoke with her son was a few days ago when he told her that he was coming out of the interior.

Dead: Marlon Letlow

An uncle of the deceased policeman stated that several senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force have visited the family and indicated to them that they were still investigating the incident. He said that up to Thursday evening, the police could not have indicated what went wrong, but relatives are of the opinion that the men may have been killed earlier than the time the police reported. Due to the state of the bodies of the two men, it is not certain that a post-mortem examination will be performed today. Aaron a former student of Apex Academy, joined the force about two years ago, but was recently deployed to the Kato Police Station.

When contacted, the aunt of Letlow refused to offer a comment, claiming that the media is carrying misleading reports about her nephew.Letlow was implicated in the murder of two gold dealers Raghubir and Deonarine in Bartica in 2010. During that time, he was a police rank attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), who was stationed at Bartica, and was accused of attempting to blackmail Rawle Newton, a murder suspect after receiving stolen goods belonging to the murdered men. Letlow and another man had received information that Raghubir and Deonarine were murdered, and in turn took $1.2 million from the murder accused, along with jewellery and other items belonging to the deceased.
Further, the duo later demanded an additional $2 million from Newton, for keeping him clear of prosecution for murder. Letlow has been a serving member of the Guyana Police Force for the past six years, and was only transferred to Kato, Region Eight, about three weeks ago.
It was reported that Aaron of 338 Section “C” Coldingen, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Marlon Letlow, of 23 Clay Brick Road, Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, left the Kato Police Station on an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) to perform patrol duties when they met their demise. The ATV was spotted along a trail in mountainous terrain in the Paramakatoi area, North Pakaraimas, with its headlamps on.

It may  sound  callous,  but personally  I  have   no sympathy  for  these  guys. In fact I strongly  believe  that  these type  of rough  justice  need  to be  dispensed more  often in order  to  stem the  growing  cancer  of  corruption  that has long metaswized  not  only  among law enforcement , but  practically  in  every segment  of society. I  say  Hang em  high,  burn e'm  alive or  just  dump e'm  overboard with  a  'janbakai' around  the  neck!