Queen’s Drive man dies after attack

Relatives and friends of 27-year-old Rakesh Sutherland are still trying to come to grips with the young man’s death.{{more}}

Vincentians awoke on Saturday morning to the news that Sutherland, who resided at Queen’s Drive, had been viciously attacked. Reports state that his girlfriend, with whom he lived, had also been assaulted.

According to police reports, the mechanic was hit in the back of his head with a stick on Saturday morning at about 3:45 a.m. He died two days later at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

Where the police report ends is where the questions begin – who would want to kill Rakesh, and why?



Ron George, a close friend, claims to have known the mild mannered young man for more than ten years.

The young Sutherland had on many occasions assisted his father Lennox, who is also a mechanic, with servicing vehicles belonging to BMC Agencies, where George is employed.

“Ever since I met him, he was the most mannerly, respectful person I have ever met. In all my years around him I have never heard him use the ‘F’ word.”

“He will be missed a lot. I feel like part of me is missing.”

Looking back at Sutherland’s life, George admitted that the fun loving young man who used to frequent vehicle shows and dexterity events had reduced his social activities significantly, following the birth of his daughter (who is five months old) in order to be around her and her mother.

The couple had been together for more than two years, and had been living at Queen’s Drive since February last year.

Sutherland, he said, was very loyal and dependable and would go out of his way to help people.

“If I break down in Chateaubelair in the middle of the night, he coming to help. That’s the way he was with everybody.”

George said that he was clueless as to why anyone would attack such a well known and liked person, but believes that it would all be sorted out.

Sutherland’s mother Narissa, still reeling from the death, spoke briefly to Searchlight about her eldest child.

Echoing the sentiments expressed by George and others who knew her son, she referred to her eldest child as a good, respectable boy; a ‘package’ who was well liked at home and at the auto dealership Star Garage, where he worked.

Mother Sutherland admitted that like everyone who knew her son, she had prayed that he would pull through from his injury, but it was not meant to be.

“I want justice for that boy,” Mrs. Sutherland said.

“I would appreciate it if someone could come forward.”

Mrs. Sutherland lamented that Rashek’s brother, 19-year-old Mario, had been too traumatized to eat or speak since the death of his brother, who he looked up to.

She revealed that the extended family and her son’s friends have been very supportive.

A funeral date is yet to be announced.