The woman whose body was found stuffed in a barrel at R & S Street, Belvedere Corentyne has been identified as 23-year-old Devika “Vanessa” Vickram.
The young woman lived at Lot 361 Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, before moving to Berbice with the man who allegedly murdered her. She also lived in Venezuela for sometime.
According to police, the suspect who has been identified as Suraj Verasammy called ‘“Radesh” who works as a labourer confessed under caution to committing the crime.
The 30-year-old man told investigators that he became enraged, after the woman whom he had been living with for about five months threatened to leave. Neighbors said the man was abusive.
This newscast understands that Verasammy allegedly used a bed sheet and strangled the victim. He then bashed her face to a pulp. When the woman’s body was discovered by neighbors it was unrecognizable and bore marks of violence.
In his attempt to cover his tracks he stuffed her body into one of their blue barrels and dumped it into a nearby trench before going into hiding.
It is alleged that he committed the heinous crime last Thursday.
Police caught the suspect hiding under the Canje Bridge on Sunday and he was taken into custody for questioning. He allegedly confessed on Monday to the gruesome murder.
The autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday (April 14th) after which legal advice will be sought.