A post-mortem conducted on the remains of Junior Kenroy Sooklall, a Private in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), revealed that his death was as a result of drowning compounded by blunt trauma to the head.

According to a police release, a post-mortem examination was done, on Monday, at the Ezekiel Funeral Home by Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehal Singh, on the body of the 24-year-old of Bark Lane, Hopetown Village, West Coast Berbice.

His remains were identified to the pathologist by his uncle, Rickey Samuels, who is a police corporal.
After Dr. Singh determined the cause of death, the body was then handed over to relatives for burial.

The Guyana Chronicle had earlier reported that on December 17, Sooklall and five others were in a boat in the vicinity of St. Lawrence, near the East Bank of the Essequibo River. The boat capsized and it passengers were thrown into the water. The others who were rescued by GDF ranks were identified as 28-year-old Turendra Lochan; 14-year-old Eon John; 16-year-old Ryan Beepat; 28-year-old Ramesh Beepat and 40-year-old Everett Tudor, who is a GDF Staff Sergeant.

Sooklall’s body was discovered by fishermen later that day at the mouth of the Essequibo River.
Police Headquarters had noted that the rescued persons were escorted to the Parika Police Station, where breathalyzer tests were conducted and it was found that Tudor, Lochan and boat captain, Ramesh Beepat, had alcohol in their system.

“The captain was further questioned and it was learnt that the five passengers were travelling from Fort Island when the boat hit a wave and capsized. [ It was a 17-foot] wooden boat with a 150 Hp Yamaha outboard engine that is unregistered,” police stated.

The GDF has since launched an investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.