A 25-year-old Jamaican national has been charged with the murder of Arima businessman Sterling Francois, whose bloodied body was found inside his home last month.Deandre Markland, of Holly Betaudier Avenue, Phase 4-2, Malabar, appeared before Master Lisa Singh-Phillip in the Criminal Court, North A, on Monday. The matter was adjourned to October 30 for a status hearing.Markland was charged on July 4 by WPC Mohammed of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region II, following legal advice from Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard.He was arrested on June 26 in Malabar by Cpl Mitchell of the Homicide Bureau after investigators received instructions to proceed with the murder charge.Francois, 45, of Scallion Circular, Trestrail Development, Arima, was found dead at his home on June 20 after a relative, concerned when repeated calls went unanswered, went to check on him.The relative found the front door closed but unlocked and discovered blood-stained footprints inside the house before finding Francois lying face down, naked and covered in blood at the top of a staircase.Investigators found blood-stained footprints and blood splatter throughout the house and recovered a cutlass believed to be the murder weapon, along with a plastic cup suspected to have been used by the killer.Police later established that Francois had returned home around 8.40 p.m. on June 19 with a male companion after leaving earlier that evening in his black Chevrolet Colorado pickup.The visitor was reportedly seen leaving the house shortly after midnight carrying a knapsack before boarding a brown 4x4 pickup that drove away from the area.Relatives also reported that several items were missing from the house, including Francois' iPhone, laptop, PlayStation and wallet.Francois owned several businesses, including Kyva General Contractors Ltd, Langley's and an auto rental company.The investigation was supervised by acting ASP Victor, Sgt Radhaykissoon and officers of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations.