Suspect in Whatsapp rape tape released on $60,000 station bail

The second suspect in relation to the rape of a Linden teen, which was recorded and circulated on WhatsApp, has since been released on $60,000 station bail pending legal advice on the matter.

This is according to Commander of ‘E’ Division Anthony Vanderhyden, who, when contacted by Sunday Stabroek yesterday, confirmed that the man was released on station bail on Friday pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The man was arrested on Tuesday evening. He was among two men who were wanted in connection with the crime. The other suspect, Sherwin Apple, is now dead.

The lifeless body of Apple, 41, a clothing vendor of William Street, Kitty, Georgetown and Silver Town, Linden, was discovered lying face down in the mud at the Kitty seawall near Vlissengen Road on Tuesday morning. At the time of the discovery, blood was running from his nostrils.

While it was initially suspected that Apple might have ended his own life following the circulation of the video, an autopsy showed that he was murdered. Police spokesman Jairam Ramlakhan had confirmed that Apple died as a result of drowning due to compression injuries to the neck. As a result, a murder investigation has been launched. No arrests have yet been made.

Apple’s family members had called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. They had said they never believed claims that he might have taken his own life and they are seeking justice in light of the findings of the autopsy.

The video was brought to the attention of the Guyana Police Force and the Childcare and Protection Agency, which have both launched investigations.

However, sources had told this newspaper that the suspected victim, a teen girl, has denied she was the person featured in the video.

Vanderhyden had previously informed this newspaper that the suspected victim was questioned on Tuesday morning in the presence of her mother and she denied being the victim seen in the video. He had also stated that the mother also denied her daughter’s involvement in the video.