Dredge owner, miner held after Venezuelan cook found dead

A miner and a dredge owner have been taken into police custody following the death of a Venezuelan national, who was working on the mining camp at ‘Big Hope’ Backdam, Region 7 as a cook.

The dead woman has been identified Dimas Emilia Lezama Fermin, 28, of San Felix, Venezuela.

Police in a report last night said that the young woman was discovered floating in the mining pit behind the mining camp.

According to the police report the woman was found in a semi-nude state. Her body bore multiple marks of violence, the police stated.

Information gathered revealed that the deceased and the dredge owner shared a relationship. On Saturday night at around 7.30, the owner of the dredge along with other miners from the camp left and went to the landing and began drinking alcohol at a shop.

At around 9.30 pm, the miner, who has been arrested, informed the group that he was returning to the camp to take a shower.

Police said at around 6.30 yesterday morning they were summoned to the scene after the deceased’s body was found floating in the mining pit.

Investigators arrested the miner and the dredge owner based on information received. They are assisting with investigations.