Body of missing Berbice teen found along Corriverton foreshore

The body of 14-year-old Devanand Ritesh Balram, also called “Whiteboy”, who went missing on Sunday while swimming in the Corentyne River, was discovered on Wednesday in the vicinity of the Dukestown Foreshore, Corriverton, Berbice.
Police stated that after two days of searches in and around the Springlands Foreshore, family members resumed searching at about 06:00h on Wednesday, which led to the discovery of the body.
The teen was found lying face down in a crouched position between several rocks, clad in boxer shorts.
The body was in an advanced state of decomposition. Police stated that the body was examined, but no detectable marks of violence were observed.  A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted on the teen’s remains.
It was reported that Balram, a former student of Tagore Memorial High School, disappeared into the murky water in the Corentyne River during an outing with friends on Sunday.
Based on reports received, the teen, who could not swim, allegedly went to the foreshore with three other friends. However, while there, he reportedly went into the water, but due to the current, he was pulled further into the river.
He reportedly shouted for assistance while holding onto a piece of lumber. As his friends went for help, the youth disappeared.

The teen lived with his father after his parents separated. Gayatree Rambhajan, the teenager’s mother, had stated that after learning of her son’s disappearance, relatives established a search party and combed the area on Monday evening, but her son was not found.
She, however, noted that the search had to be suspended because the family couldn’t afford to hire a boat. After reporting the matter to the Police, they joined the search, along with members of the public.
The grieving mother related that she last spoke with her son on July 2 and described him as a caring and thoughtful young man and confirmed that he did not know how to swim.