A post-mortem examination carried out on the remains of Otis Jordan Payne, who died earlier this week after falling ill while in Police custody, has listed the cause of death as peritonitis infection of the abdomen due to a perforated stomach ulcer.

In a statement this morning, the Guyana Police Force explained that the post-mortem examination was done this morning by Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh. Speciments were taken from the body for a toxicology report, the Police said.

Payne was arrested by the Police last Friday and kept in custody over the weekend over a domestic incident report. He reportedly complained of feeling unwell while in Police custody and was taken to the hospital. He was discharged the same day and returned to Police custody at the Cove and John Police Station.

Early on Tuesday morning, the man started to complain of being unwell again and became unresponsive in the lock-ups. The Police said he was taken back to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. There were no marks of violence on his body, according to the Police report.

Family members have been pressing for justice, saying that they were never told of the man being unwell and only learned that he had been taken to the hospital when his mother visited the Police station on Tuesday morning. She was advised to visit the hospital, and when she did, she was informed by a Doctor of his death.

The Guyana Police Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating the man’s death while in Police custody and the procedures that were followed after he complained of being unwell.

Two Police Officers who were on duty at the time have been placed under close arrest for questioning.

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