Published: 29th of January, 2026 by Patrick Carpen.
Last updated: January 29, 2026 at 17:10 pmResidents of the Rupununi Savannahs of Guyana, Region 9, have vowed that the killers of Leon Baird will be brought to justice at all costs. The close-knit community has voiced their determination via social media posts and to the media, with several prominent residents saying they will leave no stone unturned.
Popular tour guide, vaquero, and nature enthusiast, Leon Baird AKA Rasta, was found dead in his vehicle on the afternoon of Sunday 25th of January 2026. This publication understands that he went missing on Friday 23rd of January 2026 after he reported that he was going to search for missing cattle which belonged to Wichabai Ranch. His badly burnt body was found inside his vehicle near to Sand Creek Village in the South Rupununi.
Although the matter is currently under police investigation and a motive has not yet been established by police, numerous residents have said that they strongly believe that cattle rustlers have killed Baird. Baird was the caretaker of the cattle belong to Wichabai Ranch and he reportedly came in conflict with cattle rustlers who sought to steal the animals. One resident told this publication that Baird saw them, knew something, and stood in the way of their criminal activities, so they had to get him out of the way. And they did so in the most brutal way imaginable.
Visit Rupununi, a tourism destination management organization, made the following statement via their Facebook account on Wednesday 28th of January 2026:
Visit Rupununi extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Leon Baird also known as Rasta. Rasta was an amazing, gentle, and peaceful soul. He was loyal and kind, always looking out for his family and friends. He had a deep love for learning and was constantly striving to better himself—studying plants, birds, and other wildlife both in nature and through books. His curiosity, humility, and care for others left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. In 2025, he was nominated for the Visit Rupununi Best Tour Guide Award, in recognition of his dedication and passion for guiding. At the time of his passing, he was working as a tour guide at Wichabai Ranch, where he was admired for his knowledge, professionalism, and passion for guiding. We will surely miss him…Rest in Peace Rasta…
The residents are calling on the Guyana Police Force to launch a thorough investigation into the crime with the aim of bringing the killers to justice. It is likely that the killers have fled across the border to neighboring Brazil, and the Guyana Police Force is likely collaborating with Brazilian authorities to track them down.
Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of Baird’s killers is asked to report the details to the nearest police station. All information will be treated with the strictest of confidentiality.
Photos: Visit Rupununi.
