Georgetown, Guyana – September 10, 2025 – Nearly a decade after the killing of commercial sex worker Noel Luther, U.S. authorities have arrested a suspect connected to the 2015 case and are preparing to return him to Guyana to face trial. The development has been hailed by SASOD Guyana as a long-overdue step toward justice in a case that shocked many and highlighted the vulnerability of sex workers to violence and stigma.
Joel Simpson, Founder of SASOD Guyana, welcomed the arrest and credited the cooperation between Guyana and U.S. authorities. “We are glad that the intergovernmental systems in place have allowed for somebody who was identified as a person of interest to be arrested and to be returned to Guyana to face these very serious charges,” Simpson said. “We hope that the Guyana Police Force will continue with a thorough investigation and, if there is credible evidence, that the suspect will face the courts and be brought to justice.”
Luther, who was known for cross-dressing, was killed in 2015 under circumstances that left his family, friends, and the wider community searching for answers. His murder became symbolic of the dangers faced by people working on the margins of society, particularly sex workers who often confront violence, discrimination, and limited protection from the justice system.
The case drew attention from human rights groups, who for years pressed authorities to deliver justice. Advocates have argued that beyond one individual tragedy, the killing underscored the broader risks faced by vulnerable groups in Guyana, risks that are often compounded by prejudice and the slow pace of investigations.
In the years since Luther’s death, SASOD Guyana and other civil society groups have campaigned for stronger protections for sex workers and greater accountability for crimes committed against them. For them, the arrest is not just about solving a cold case but also about signaling that every life matters, no matter a person’s identity or circumstances.
For Luther’s loved ones, the news brings a glimmer of hope that after ten years of waiting, his life may not be forgotten in vain. The question now is whether the Guyana Police Force and the courts will press forward swiftly to ensure that justice, delayed for nearly a decade, is finally delivered.
