Decomposed body of miner found floating in pit

The body of 53-year-old Jerome John was on Sunday found floating in a mining pit at Puttering Backdam, Middle Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
From all reports received, John, who was last seen on Friday evening, might have drowned. Police stated that the body was discovered at about 11:00h on Sunday.
Based on the information received, John was employed as a pitman by a 30-year-old miner of Pomeroon, who operates a 4-inch land dredging operation. According to the owner, John left the camp at about 18:00h on Friday for ‘Top Side’ to see his girlfriend but he did not return.
However, at about 08:00h, another miner contacted John’s employer and informed him that his employee was found floating in an old mining pit. The matter was reported to Police, who promptly arrived at the scene where they observed John’s body in the water lying face up.
The body bore no visible wound, and due to the state of decomposition, the rank was unable to determine if there were any marks of violence. His body was pulled from the mining pit and is being transferred to Bartica for a post-mortem examination.
Investigations are ongoing.