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January 31, 2026
January 31, 2026
Concerns are mounting over the pace of the investigation into the killing of Leon Baird, widely known as “Rasta,” amid reports of suspected sightings, uncollected evidence and the absence of a lead investigator from the district days after his body was found in the South Rupununi savannah.
Visit Rupununi said in a statement that seven days after the discovery of Baird’s body, witnesses have reportedly come forward and suspects have allegedly been sighted, yet no arrests have been announced and no suspects are known to have been formally questioned. Physical evidence is also said to remain at the crime scene, while the lead investigator has not been seen in the area since last Sunday.
Baird, a respected local guide, vaquero and conservationist, was killed in what Visit Rupununi described as an act of extreme violence. Based on reports from the area and observations at the scene, the killing is widely believed to have been carried out by cattle rustlers operating in the Sand Creek area.
Cattle rustling in the Rupununi has long been attributed to organised groups known within the region and has been repeatedly reported to authorities, Visit Rupununi said, adding that the activity has affected ranches, villages and families across the region for years despite formal reports.
The lack of visible progress in the investigation has fuelled frustration and fear among residents, leaving many feeling exposed and unprotected, Visit Rupununi said, as it called for authorities to intervene and ensure the case is actively and thoroughly pursued.
“Justice delayed is justice denied—not only for Leon and his family, but for the entire region,” Visit Rupununi said, warning that failure to act sends a message that violence can occur without consequence.
The organisation said the killing raises broader concerns about safety, accountability and the rule of law in the Rupununi, and questioned whether the long-standing lack of effective responses to criminal activity has contributed to an environment where such violence could occur.
Visit Rupununi called for a transparent, professional investigation and a clear commitment from law enforcement and national authorities to uphold justice, saying the people of the Rupununi deserve nothing less.
Baird was remembered as a trusted figure and mentor whose work supported conservation and community development in the region. His death has been felt deeply across the Rupununi and beyond, with Visit Rupununi expressing solidarity with his family and community and urging immediate action to ensure the case is not left unresolved.
