Latest update March 12th, 2026 9:56 PM
No breakthrough in murder of Rupununi tourist guide
(Kaieteur News) – More than two weeks after the partially burnt body of tourist guide Leon Baird, known as “Rasta,” was discovered in a vehicle in the Rupununi Savannahs, police say the murder investigation remains “very active,” but no breakthrough has been announced.
Region Nine Commander, Superintendent Mohamed Ally, told this newspaper on Monday that several persons were questioned and later released on bail as investigations continue.
“We are following all possible leads. My ranks are on the ground investigating,” Ally said. Baird’s body was found on January 25 between Wichabai Ranch and Sand Creek Village. He was reported missing two days earlier after leaving the ranch where he lived and worked as a caretaker.
Dead, Leon Baird
Close friends and colleagues of Baird had told this publication on January 28 that Baird resided at the Wichabai Ranch and reportedly went missing on Friday (January 23).
While they are still unclear as to what really transpired when he went missing and what led to his death, the colleagues noted that Baird was known to be the caretaker of the animals at the ranch. They disclosed that before his death, Baird was missing some of the animals from the ranch and so they suspected that on January 23 he left in search of the animals.
They also related to this newspaper that for years ranches have been dealing with the issue of cattle rustling which was reported to the police on numerous occasions. “This rustling thing has been going on down here in the Rupununi for so many years and so many reports have been made to the police from ranches not just our ranch, villages, individuals and from the South Rupununi District Council for years, about the same people who are going around and killing animals and selling the meat to Lethem,” one of the colleagues explained.
According to them, in the past Baird even received threats from persons suspected to be rustlers. The police in a report on January 30 noted that during subsequent enquiries in the area, investigators also discovered the remains of two cows nearby, suspected to have been shot. “Items of evidential value, including a knife and spent shotgun shells, were recovered and lodged as part of ongoing examinations,” the police said in a statement.
Since the news of his death, family, friends and several Rupununi organisations and groups have all called for justice and a thorough investigation into his case. They also raised the issue of cattle rustling in the Rupununi which has been ongoing for years, and repeatedly reported to the authorities.
Following the news of his death, this publication reported also that the Rupununi Livestock Producers Association called on law enforcement agencies and policymakers to partner more closely with livestock producers to strengthen security and tackle the long-standing problem of cattle rustling in the Rupununi.
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