Death in lockups: Man died due to infection of abdomen – PME

A postmortem examination conducted on the body of 30-year-old Otis Jordan, who died whilst in the lockups at the Cove and John Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD), has found the cause of death to be peritonitis.

According to a statement from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued today, peritonitis is an infection of the abdomen due to a perforated stomach ulcer.

The postmortem examination was conducted earlier today by  Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation mortuary.

Additionally, the GPF noted that specimens were taken from the body for a toxicology report.

Jordan, a block maker of South Haslington, ECD, died in police custody on Tuesday.

As part of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death which was launched by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), two police ranks attached to the station have been placed under close arrest.

Jordan had been in custody since Friday last on a domestic violence allegation and was scheduled to make his court appearance on Tuesday, but he died in the early hours of that day.

Police had reported that Jordan became unresponsive in the lock-ups shortly after midnight on Tuesday after complaining of feeling unwell. He was taken to the Enmore Regional Hospital, treated, and returned to custody. According to the police, he later again complained of feeling unwell, became unresponsive, and was rushed back to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.