MARK Thomas, one of the three men charged with the murder of cattle farmer Shafeek Bacchus early last month, died at the Georgetown Hospital last night.
Thomas was charged, along with Ashton King and Shawn Hinds, with the shooting to death of 45-year-old Bacchus outside his Princess Street, Lodge home on January 5.
However, Thomas did not show up when the trio was ordered to appear in court for their arraignment. Thomas reportedly collapsed and had to be taken to hospital.
Police confirmed last night that Thomas died at 7.20 p.m.
The death of Bacchus led to self-confessed brother George Bacchus claiming in public that the bullets that hit Shafeek were meant for him.
Bacchus also claimed that his brother's killers were part of a phantom squad that was responsible for the "taking out" of many of the crime suspects and fugitives, including one of the five prison escapees that terrorized the Guyanese society for more than a year after their bloody Mash Day 2002 breakout.
His claim that Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj was linked to such a squad has sparked a campaign by the PNC/R for Mr. Gajraj's resignation and for an inquiry into Bacchus's allegations.