Canadian man killed in his Nicaraguan home

A Canadian man has been killed in what police are speculating was a house robbery in Nicaragua.

Rajan Deedar Gill, who has been identified by friends as a resident of Vancouver, was in his house in La Boquita, Nicaragua, on Nov. 30. Armed men reportedly entered the house between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. and tied up him and his girlfriend, Marbely Palma, 24.

Local police told Global News Gill was struck on the head with a blunt object and was killed. Palma survived and is currently being questioned by police.

Officers say the property usually had a security guard, but he had the night off the day of the incident.

Police say Gill’s green van was stolen from the property, along with two safes. The van was found a few days later abandoned on the side of a highway. They found one of the safes on the back seat of the car.

The blue marker indicates the town where Gill lived, and the red marker indicates the approximate location where police found the abandoned van:

Police are investigating and are talking to a number of people to rule out any suspects.

They have also taken in two suspects who were found near the abandoned van, but haven’t made any arrests.

Police are questioning a local welder who had worked several times at the residence doing maintenance.

According to a local newspaper, La Prensa, family members of those detained have been waiting anxiously outside the police station, since they have not been able to see or talk to them since Monday.

Friends of Gill tell Global News he owned a rental property in La Boquita and lived in a small house on the grounds where the break-in took place.

According to the rental website, Gill worked in the international development field for the past 20 years around the world. He purchased his house in Nicaragua in 2006 and had been living between Vancouver and Nicaragua.

All of the reviews online talk about Gill as being very patient and considerate. Many write about his great hospitality.

A Canadian woman and her family had been staying at Gill’s rental for two months, until they left on Nov. 24. She told Global News in an email that she feels it was a close call for her family, and that her heart is with Gill’s daughter.

In a statement from Global Affairs Canada, a spokesperson says Canadian Consular Officials are in contact with local authorities and are providing consular assistance to the family.