The family of Leon Baird, a tour guide known as ‘Rasta,’ is seeking answers following his tragic and violent death in a remote area of the Rupununi savannah, where his burned remains were discovered last month. Relatives claim Baird had been living under threat due to his encounters with cattle rustlers in the region.
Baird’s sister-in-law, Lerona Andrew, shared insights during a telephone interview, revealing that he had previously expressed concerns about threats from individuals he encountered while working near Wichabai Ranch, where he was employed. According to Andrew, these threats were linked to cattle rustling, an ongoing issue in the area that poses serious dangers to ranching communities.
“It’s not just one time they threaten him,” Andrew stated, explaining that Baird’s job often required him to work in isolated locations, leading to confrontations with cattle thieves. “Because he found them rustling, they threatened him,” she added.
Despite the threats, Baird never formally reported them to the Police.
On the morning of January 23, Baird left the ranch to round up cattle but failed to return. His partially burned remains were discovered the following day inside a torched vehicle by a worker searching for him.
Baird’s eldest brother, Nigel Andrew, reflected on the painful recognition of his brother’s fate. “It’s a history but not a mystery,” he said, recalling a previous conversation with Leon about ongoing troubles in the area. “He said there are some guys doing mischief… and he knew them because he already confronted them and they threatened him.”
Nigel characterized Baird as someone familiar with the land and unafraid to challenge wrongdoing.
Police confirmed that Baird’s remains were located near Wichabai Ranch along the eastern bank of the Rupununi River. A post-mortem examination revealed that he died from burns while still alive prior to the fire. DNA samples were taken for identification purposes.
During their investigation, law enforcement officers also discovered the remains of two shot cattle, alongside a knife and spent shotgun shells, suggesting that Baird may have encountered individuals involved in cattle theft shortly before his death.
Authorities have indicated to the family that several suspects are in custody, including a man who allegedly threatened Baird.
For Nigel, the haunting unanswered questions linger. “This ain’t going down the drain like that… I need to know what happened,” he expressed, emphasizing the need for justice and clarity surrounding his brother’s death.
