Two years after she disappeared without a trace, Police investigators have made a breakthrough in the Shawnett Savory case, although the woman’s body is still to be recovered.

Police Crime Chief Paul Williams hosted a joint press conference this morning with Women’s Rights Activist and founder of Let the Woman Speak, Dianne Madray and it was revealed at the press conference that the main suspect in the woman’s disappearance has been held and charged for murder.

Investigators moved ahead with the murder charge following a confession provided by the suspect.  In that confession, he listed a number of places where he said the body was buried.  However, investigators have narrowed down their search to one area that was provided by the man.

Although the body is yet to be recovered, Crime Chief, Paul Williams said he considers the case solved. He also noted that the Police Force is still trying to track down two other persons who might be able to assist with the investigation.

Mr. Williams said a number of other cold cases are being examined and will be examined under the new Cold Case Unit.

He said he is confident that the Police Force has the ability to crack many of the old cases. Questioned about whether there is sufficient evidence to get a conviction in the case, the Crime Chief said based on his knowledge and experience, there is enough evidence ensure the suspect is convicted.

Rights Activist, Dianne Madray, was loud in praise for the Crime Chief and the investigators of the Major Crimes Unit. She said she felt a “lightness” when she visited the Crime Chief’s office recently and realised that he had an open door policy and was willing to work along with her to solve the crime.

That partnership, she said, has been successful.

Ms. Madray said the issue of domestic violence and domestic murders in Guyana must be tackled and such cases must be properly investigated by Police.  She said there is a need for sensitivity training for Police investigators since there is a need for them to understand the importance of closure for the relatives of a murder victim.

She offered the help of her organisation to work along with the Police Force and offer training that could make investigators better able to deal with domestic violence cases.

As investigators move ahead with the criminal case against the accused in the matter, the mother of the dead woman said she wants the body to be found so that she could get closure. Her daughter Shawnett Savory went missing in August of 2016. The man who has been held and charged in the case was reportedly her boyfriend.

Its unclear what may have triggered the murder.

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