Rupununi farmer stabbed to death; brothers-in-law arrested

Assis Joel, a 27-year-old farmer of Maruranau Village, South Rupununi in Region Nine was fatally stabbed during a row with two of his brothers-in-law.

The incident occurred at about 16:00 hours on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Maruranau Village.

Police have since arrested the two suspects — Hebrew Simon, a 20-year-old farmer and his brother Eloyde Simon, a 32-year-old farmer, both also of Maruranau Village, South Rupununi.

Investigations revealed that Joel resided in a small wooden and concrete house with his common-law wife, Judith Simon, and their three children, ages 7, 4, and 2 years old. The two suspects are the brothers of Judith Simon.

At about 08:00 hours on Friday, the two suspects visited their sister’s home to celebrate her two-year-old child’s birthday. On arrival, the suspects and the victim began consuming local wine (Kari) under a fruit tree about 70 feet away from the house.

Then at about 16:00 hours that day, the wine was finished, and Joel’s wife went under the tree and took him back to their home. She also told her two brothers to go home since the wine was finished. However, the brothers walked over to the couple’s home and asked to borrow Joel’s motorcycle, but the victim refused to lend it to them.

According to Judith Simon, her brothers and her husband started to argue, and a fight ensued, during which one of her brothers allegedly stabbed Joel with a kitchen knife, breaking off the knife handle in the process. The suspect dropped the knife in front of the house, and both brothers made good their escape.

At about 18:00 hours on Friday, Eloyde Simon was arrested by CPG members in the Village and subsequently handed over to the Police. A police team also went to the home of Hebrew Simon and arrested him.

Two video/audio interviews were conducted with the two suspects, who both confessed to the alleged crime. Arrangements are now being made for the post-mortem examination to be done so that legal advice can be sought.

Investigations are ongoing.