In a violent incident that has shocked Guyana’s mining community, 55-year-old gold miner John José Marciano was brutally murdered at a remote mining camp in the Middle Mazaruni River region. The attack occurred during the early hours of Saturday morning at the 14 Miles, Issano mining location, approximately 36 hours before authorities made two arrests in connection with the case.
Law enforcement officials have confirmed the apprehension of two suspects: a 35-year-old female cook from Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, and a 19-year-old gold miner from Tapakuma, Essequibo Coast. The younger suspect was captured in Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) at approximately 7:45 AM on Sunday, following an intensive manhunt operation.
According to police reports, the grim discovery was made when Marciano was found slumped on the ground within his mining camp compound, bearing multiple chop wounds across his body. Investigators recovered a cutlass—believed to be the murder weapon—in close proximity to the victim’s remains. The Guyana Police Force has not yet disclosed potential motives or the exact circumstances that precipitated the violent altercation, stating only that ‘an incident reportedly occurred during the early morning hours.’
The remote location of the crime scene at 14 Miles, Issano presents significant challenges for forensic investigation and evidence collection. This violent episode highlights the ongoing security concerns within Guyana’s gold mining regions, where isolated camps and valuable mineral resources sometimes create volatile environments. The case continues to undergo active investigation as authorities work to reconstruct the events leading to this tragic outcome.