Man hacks woman, succumbs after ingesting Gramoxone

Oct 01, 2008 News

A Cummings Lodge man succumbed at around 20:00 hrs yesterday, some hours after hacking a woman in whom he had an interest and taking a dose of poison.
Rafeek Baksh, 36, was rushed to the Georgetown Hospital at around 14:30 hours yesterday after ingesting Gramoxone. Earlier, he had viciously attacked 28-year-old Natasha Ramphal with a cutlass.
Reports are that Ramphal, a mother of two, was on her way to pick up her son at First Street, Industry, East Coast Demerara, when a burgundy-coloured car drove past her. Kaieteur News was told that within seconds the car was seen reversing and Baksh came out with a cutlass in his hand. The man then began chopping Ramphal who sought refuge in a nearby yard with Baksh in hot pursuit.

Rafeek Baksh awaiting treatment at the GPHC minutes before he succumbs

The injured woman, who lives in Industry, was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. This newspaper understands that Baksh then went to his 471 Block Y Cummings Lodge home where he reportedly ingested the poison.
He was taken shortly after to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he eventually succumbed.
Ramphal, this newspaper was told, sustained three wounds to her head and several chops to both hands. Her condition is listed as stable.
Meanwhile, there are conflicting reports as to what caused the incident. A friend of the injured woman said that a few weeks ago, Baksh went to a video club operated by Ramphal.
Before leaving, the man left his telephone number and ever since he has been tormenting Ramphal. According to the friend, as a result, Ramphal got a restraining order against Baksh and he was served the order sometime last week.
The friend that said she believes that is what may have led the man to attack her friend.
Other reports are that the two shared a relationship which went sour.
Over at the hospital yesterday, relatives of the man who gathered there became annoyed, saying the doctors were not doing enough.
The man’s wife who was among those present declined to comment on the incident, only noting that the man had an eight-month-old to live for.
But that was not to be.