Duo found floating in Essequibo River died by drowning, blunt trauma to heads – autopsy

The late Vijai Lallmoni and Solendra Bhookmohan, whose bodies were found floating in the Essequibo River last Tuesday, died as a result of drowning compounded with blunt trauma to the head. This revelation was made by Dr Nehaul Singh, who conducted autopsies on the men’s bodies on Friday.
The Police have said that the bodies have been handed over to the men’s families for burial.
A Police source related that the men could have sustained head injuries by hitting their heads on the boat as they fell into the water. It was reported that the boat in which the two men were travelling was seen drifting in the Essequibo River in the vicinity of Sachrilla Bay on Monday evening with no signs of the men. Missing person reports were made with the relevant authorities, and an investigation was launched.
On Tuesday at about 11:00h, the Police received information that two bodies were seen floating in the river. As a result, two ranks went to Agatash village along the Essequibo River, where Lallmoni’s body was found floating face down about 20 feet from the western shore.
At the time, the body was clad in a black jersey and black short trunks, and had on no footwear. As the search continued, the ranks travelled to Puerto Rima, where the body of Bookmohan was recovered. Police have said that at the time that body was found, it was clad in a grey vest, long camouflage jogger pants, green boxers, and did not have on footwear.
These two men had been employed at the St Mary’s Quarry, and had left for Bartica on a wooden boat powered by a 40-HP Yamaha engine to purchase groceries. It is believed that the men might have been involved in a collision along the river.
Police are still investigating the incident.