Police have arrested a suspect in the alleged murder of 45-year-old Bibi Shazida Hanif at her home in Samaroo Dam, West Bank Demerara. The arrest occurred around 8:30 AM today following information received by law enforcement.
According to reports, officers conducted a stop-and-search operation on motor car PZZ 3660, which was driven by 29-year-old Abdul Jameer True from Parika, East Bank Essequibo. In the back seat of the vehicle, police found Martin True, a 53-year-old resident of Parfaite Harmonie. He was informed of the allegations against him, arrested, and subsequently escorted to the Springlands Police Station. He will be transferred to Regional Police Division #3 for further investigation.
Martin True is accused of murdering his ex-wife, Bibi Shazida Hanif, who worked as a cleaner at Rapid Oil Field in Halliburton, Garden of Eden, East Bank Essequibo. The incident reportedly took place between 4:44 AM and 5:25 AM today at Hanif’s residence.
Enquiries revealed that Hanif lived with her 18-year-old son, who is currently staying with his father in Berbice. Hayden Xavier, a 44-year-old Trinidadian and inspector at Rapid Oil Field, stated that he had known Hanif for over two years and began an intimate relationship with her after her separation from Martin True earlier this year.
Xavier explained that Hanif had been living with him in Providence but returned to her home at Samaroo Dam about two weeks ago. He noted that the company bus typically picked her up at 5:00 AM for work, after which he would drive her to the office.
At approximately 4:44 AM today, Hanif called Xavier, asking him to pick her up as she was running late for work. However, around twenty minutes later, while he was on the Demerara Harbour Bridge, he called her back, only to have Martin True answer her phone, stating, “I now fix she deh.”
Concerned, Xavier reported the situation to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station before heading to Hanif’s home. Upon arrival, police discovered her lying motionless in a pool of blood on the floor next to her bed. Authorities observed two stab wounds on her back. The body was transported to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The remains are currently at Ezekiel Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Hanif’s death is ongoing.
Press Release From Azeem Baksh Jr. (Junior Baksh)
