– post mortem reveals cause of death was ‘asphyxiation due to drowning’
THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) yesterday indicated that it has launched a Board of Inquiry into all the circumstances which led to the death of army Private (21102) Julian Marks.

In this regard, the GDF said it will work closely with the Criminal Investigations Department of the Guyana Police Force as the circumstances dictate.

The body of Marks of the GDF’s Jaguar Company, 1 Infantry Battalion was found at 10:17 hrs on Tuesday last by the GDF search team which included a member of the Guyana Police Force.

The body was discovered in the Cuyuni River approximately one mile before Ekereku River Mouth and eleven miles from Eteringbang location.

The body of the late Private Marks was brought out from Eteringbang at 17:10 hrs that day and transported to the Lyken Newburg Funeral Home.

A post mortem done on the remains of Private Marks at approximately 11:30 hrs yesterday found the following:

** Lacerations to the right jaw.

** Blunt trauma of the left side of the head.

** The cause of death was asphyxiation due to drowning.

Private Marks was reported missing by the army during a roll call on November 17, 2009, at approximately 11:00 hrs. Also missing during the roll call that day was Private 21008 Clyde Bailey.

The GDF said immediately after the discovery of their absence, a search was launched by ranks stationed at that location to find them. Checks were made at the Eteringbang Police Station, the Military Observation Post and the surrounding area. At approximately 09:00 hrs, on November 18, Private Clyde Bailey was found, unharmed, by one of the search parties approximately two miles from the Eteringbang location.

On November 18, 2009, at 13:45 hrs a special team, comprising two Officers and seven Other Ranks from First Infantry Battalion and the Special Forces Squadron were flown to the Eteringbang location to investigate and complement the search effort.

The army yesterday disclosed that Private Bailey, who was last seen with Private Marks, will be handed over to the CID to assist them in their investigations.

The army also said arrangements are underway for the deceased soldier to be buried with full military rites.