Businessman sentenced to 24 years for ex-wife’s murder

After nearly six years of legal proceedings, businessman Ryan Sugrim was sentenced to 24 years in prison for the 2019 murder of his ex-wife, Zaila Sugrim.

Justice Damone Younge handed down the sentence in the Demerara High Court today.

It was reported that on May 11, 2019, Zaila had visited Ryan’s home in La Union, West Coast Demerara, to see her children on their son’s birthday. What should have been a routine visit turned into a fatal encounter.

According to Ryan’s statement, an argument erupted when Zaila found suspicious numbers in his phone. He claimed that she grabbed his firearm, threatened to shoot him, and that during a struggle, the weapon discharged, hitting her in the face.

Instead of calling for medical assistance or reporting the incident, Ryan took immediate steps to cover up the crime. That night, after ensuring his children were asleep, he dragged Zaila’s body to the back of his business place – a gas station, where he set it on fire using tires and kerosene.

A neighbour noticed the fire and called the fire service, but Ryan intervened, convincing the neighbour that it was just garbage being burned.

Once the fire subsided, he dug a shallow grave and buried Zaila’s remains in his yard. Over the next few days, he misled family members, lied to his children about their mother’s whereabouts, and attempted to erase any traces of the crime.

By May 12, 2019, Zaila’s children and family grew increasingly concerned. It was Mother’s Day, and she had promised to spend it with her children. On May 13, police arrived at Ryan’s home and conducted an initial search, but found nothing suspicious inside. However, a more thorough examination of the yard led to the discovery of fresh dirt and burned remains.

Ryan claimed he had burned garbage and that his children wanted to plant a garden, but as police continued to dig, they unearthed human remains wrapped in cloth. Additional evidence found in his vehicle, including red stains resembling blood, further strengthened suspicions.

DNA testing later confirmed that the remains belonged to Zaila Sugrim. Ryan was arrested and charged with murder. On February 26, 2025, he pleaded guilty to the crime. 

When given an opportunity to speak during the sentencing today, Ryan said: “I am very, very sorry. Please accept my apologies.” The man claimed that he too was grieving and that he had loved Zaila. “I would never do anything to cause her death deliberately,” he said.