– foul play not ruled out

A body of a 49-year-old miner was discovered in the Upper Demerara River on Sunday, apparently drowned but police have not ruled out foul play and investigations are ongoing.

Dead is John Williams. His body was discovered in the river, opposite a ‘kayamoo’, where he had spent his last hours on Good Friday. Up to the time of his death, he was employed at a mine in the Upper Demerara River, just past Great Falls.

His body was brought to the city early yesterday by the dredge owner, who went to the area upon hearing of Williams’s death. He told this newspaper last evening that Williams was at the ‘kayamoo’, which is a place where alcohol, other items and prostitutes can be had and was last seen at 3 am on Good Friday.

He said that the man’s brother was also there at the time and was involved in a fight but after this, the owner of the place hired a boat to take them back to their camp. Williams, however, remained in the ‘kayamoo’.

According to the businessman, Williams had some problems with some persons there about a year ago. He said he had his theories about what happened, and insisted that the now-dead man had been an excellent swimmer and diver. He said that although complaints had been made about the ‘kayamoo’ to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission to have it removed, it still operated.

He said that when the body was discovered, it was in a decomposed state and others had wanted to bury it in the area but he insisted that it be brought out.

Williams’s sister, Dianna told Stabroek News yesterday that her brother had started working at the mine since January. She said he was survived by three daughters and a son.

Police returned to the area yesterday to conduct further investigations.