BELIZE CITY, Belize, Wednesday July 20, 2016 – A Guyanese/Canadian businessman in Belize and four of his cohorts are facing murder and kidnapping charges, following the discovery of a murdered pastor’s head in the non-national’s car.
William Mason, along with Belizeans Ernest Castillo, Keron Fernandez, Ashton Vanegas, and Terence Fernandez have been accused of the murder of 47-year-old Llewellyn Lucas, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit to kidnapping.
According to local reports, Lucas was one of three preachers kidnapped last Friday at Mason’s house in Belmopan. Police say Lucas was beheaded at another location, at a farm in the Belize District. The other two pastors were released.
After letting the men go, Mason and his associates went to a location where a policeman who knew the businessman was wanted for questioning in connection with another matter, summoned lawmen. When police arrived, the men were all searched and a licensed firearm was found on Mason. But the gruesome discovery of Lucas’ head, bagged and placed in a bucket, was made when Mason’s vehicle was searched.
Acting Commissioner of Police Russell Blackett said it was luck that led them to the discovery.
“Had it not been we were conducting this investigation and were tracking this man, trying to locate him, there is a possibility we would have been investigating a missing person’s report. So I would say by the stroke of luck we stumbled upon this and I am glad we did,” he said at a press conference.
All four men appeared in court yesterday and were remanded to the Belize Central Prison until September 14.