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Lawyer’s housemate attempts suicide, emerges as prime suspect in his murder


L-R: Attorney-at-law Richard Layne and Police Sergeant Tony Sulker

As the investigation widens into the murder of attorney-at-law Richard Layne, new details have emerged pointing to Police Sergeant Tony Sulker as the prime suspect.


Sulker, 29, who was Layne’s housemate, is hospitalised after he attempted suicide. The Guyana Police Force (GPF), on Friday night, said that Sulker, who had lived with Layne for the past four years, had been interviewed by detectives on Thursday.


In a written statement, the Police said the 29-year-old Police Sergeant recounted meeting the 35-year-old attorney at a function at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. He claimed that Layne invited him to live with him, noting that they shared an “amicable” relationship while denying any intimate connection.


On the night of the incident, Sulker claimed he was at home when Layne’s cousin, Michael Harding, visited. Shortly after, Layne and Harding left the house together.


Sulker stated that he went to his room around 20:00h and fell asleep, only to wake up at 22:00h to find Layne in his car on the bridge outside their home, slumped in the driver’s seat.


Upon closer inspection, Sulker observed what appeared to be blood on Layne's neck. He immediately contacted Layne’s mother, Penelope Lewis, and picked her up from a nearby bar to return to the scene.


When they arrived back at the house, they found Layne’s car doors locked. Following his mother’s instructions, Sulker broke the driver-side glass with a hammer. Inside, they discovered Layne motionless with a wound on the right side of his neck. Sulker stated that he then called the ambulance and the police.


However, the Police Force said that further investigations have cast doubt on Sulker’s account.


The law enforcement agency said that on Friday, police reviewed CCTV footage from Sheriff Street, near Kamboat Chinese Restaurant, which showed Layne’s car—a burgundy Jaguar with the number plate PYY 2850—stopping near the restaurant at around 21:31h on the night of the incident.  


A male, Police said, suspected to be Sulker, exited the car and entered the restaurant, returning shortly after with a white plastic bag. The footage then showed the car heading towards D'Urban Backlands.


Nevertheless, Layne’s mother reported that she saw Sulker drive into the yard at Layne’s residence on Friday at high speed.


Sensing something was wrong, she returned to the house and found Sulker lying on the floor in a critical condition. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he is receiving treatment in critical condition.


Upon searching the house, police found the clothing Sulker was seen wearing in the CCTV footage in a washing machine, which was already washed and dried.


All items were collected as evidence, and DNA samples were taken from Sulker for further analysis.

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