POLICE are investigating the suspected drowning of Courtney Benn, a 43-year-old fisherman of Winiperu Village, in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), which occurred between 10:00hrs on June 20 and 08:00hrs on Saturday on the Essequibo River.

Police Headquarters reported that at approximately 06:00hrs on June 20, Benn left home in his wooden boat (without an engine) to check his fishing seine in the Essequibo River.
Between 07:30 and 08:00hrs, Benn visited Ovin Hubert’s shop on Sherima Landing, where he sold fish. Benn then proceeded to another shop about 200 meters from Hubert’s shop, where he spent approximately 45 minutes consuming High Wine.

Benn was last seen paddling his boat, alone, towards Winiperu Village.

On June 21, at approximately 08:10hrs, Benn’s boat was found drifting in the Essequibo River near Winiperu Village. His personal belongings were inside the boat, but he Benn was not there.
Upon finding the drifting boat, residents checked Benn’s home and, failing to locate him, raised an alarm. A search party was formed by relatives and community members, with the Police joining the efforts.

At about 08:00hrs on Saturday, Benn’s body was discovered floating in the Essequibo River. His body was transported to the Bartica Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding Benn’s death.