A 49-year-old Community Relations Officer of Culvert City, Central Rupununi, Region Nine, on Wednesday was remanded to prison after being charged with the murder of Leon Baird, called “Rasta”.
Ken Faria appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, where the charge of murder, contrary to common law, was read to him. He was not required to plead and was remanded to prison. The matter was adjourned to March 31, 2026.
The charge stems from the alleged killing of Baird, a 38-year-old tour guide of St. Ignatius Village, which police say occurred between January 23 and January 25, 2026, at Wichabai, South Central Rupununi.
Baird’s partially charred remains were found along the eastern bank of the Rupununi River, in proximity to Wichabai Ranch, South Rupununi, on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
During the investigations, a burnt vehicle was reportedly discovered on the riverbank, with what appeared to be partially charred human remains inside.
The remains were removed and taken to the Lethem Regional Hospital, where the individual was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty. A post-mortem examination conducted on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh concluded that the cause of death was burns, and indicated that the victim was alive prior to the fire.
Following the autopsy, the body was handed over to relatives for burial, while DNA samples were also obtained as part of the ongoing investigation.
During subsequent enquiries in the area, police said they also discovered the remains of two cattle nearby, suspected to have been shot. Investigators recovered items of evidential value, including a knife and spent shotgun shells, which were lodged as part of ongoing examinations.
