THE police are investigating the suspected drowning of Jerome John, a 53-year-old miner (address unknown), which occurred between July 14 and 16, at Puttering ‘backdam,’ Middle Mazaruni River.

According to a statement, the scene was visited by the police around 11:00hrs on Sunday.

“Enquiries revealed that the now deceased man was employed as a pitman by Sebastian Chase, a 30-year-old miner of the Pomeroon, on his four-inch land-dredging operation.

According to Chase, on Friday (July 14) around 18:00hrs, John left camp, heading to ‘Top Side’ to see his girlfriend (identity unknown at this time). Thereafter, the victim did not return.

Today (Sunday) about 08:00hrs, a miner contacted Chase and told him that the deceased (Jerome John) was seen floating in an old mining pit in the ‘backdam.’ The matter was reported to the police, who promptly responded,” the statement said.

Upon arrival at the scene, John’s body was seen floating in an old mining pit, face up. The body bore no visible wounds and due to the state of decomposition, the rank was unable to determine if there were any marks of violence, the statement added.

The deceased’s body was then fished out of the mining pit.