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Mining camp slaughter… Overseas forensic scientist to assist
Bloody sledge hammer, rifle shells retrieved from scene
Some of the eight miners who were slaughtered in their camp at Lindo Valley were shot in their heads, while the others apparently had their skulls smashed in with a hammer.
Kaieteur News understands that investigators who located the remains on Monday observed what appeared to be bullet holes in some of the skulls.
About twenty 7.62×39 shells, used in M70 and AK-47 assault rifles, were found at the scene.
But examination of the other skulls also indicated that some of the miners were beaten to death.
The murder weapon appeared to be a small sledge hammer — reportedly smeared with dried blood and hair — that was found in the area where the brutal killings occurred.
An official confirmed that the killers had placed the bodies in a heap, along with several items from the camp, and then set them alight. The corpses were literally cremated, leaving only the eight skulls and a few bones.
Kaieteur News understands that local investigators are seeking the services of an overseas-based forensic expert to confirm the manner of death.
The forensic expert is also likely to visit the crime scene in an effort to unearth further clues.
News of the massacre surfaced on Saturday, when dredge owner Leonard Arokium visited his camp to check on his crew.
On Sunday, the Joint Services team, aided by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, confirmed that the tragedy had occurred after locating the camp at Lindo Valley, some ten miles from Christmas Falls.
Those murdered are Clifton Wong, 46, of Norton Street, Wortmanville; Dax Arokium, 28, of Crane Place, South Ruimveldt Park; his uncle Cedric Arokium, called Brother, 51; Bonny Harry, 50, of Zorg, Essequibo; Compton Spires, 58, of Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara; Horace Drakes, 36, of De Kenderen, West Coast Demerara; Lancelot Lee, called ‘Piggy’; and a youth who is reportedly from Kwakwani.
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