US teen drowns on birthday during family outing in Guyana

Demarius Wilabus Payne, an 18-year-old American college student, drowned on Boxing Day while visiting Guyana to celebrate his birthday.
Payne, who hailed from Atlanta, Georgia, USA and Wismar, Linden, was spending time with relatives when the incident occurred.

Police reports are that Payne was at the Coomacka Mines creek in Linden with relatives; and while swimming, he ventured into the deeper part of the creek and attempted to cross to the other side, but became submerged underwater, prompting family members and others nearby to search for him. Payne was later pulled from the creek in an unconscious state, and was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where a doctor pronounced him dead.
However, the teen’s family members have provided a different account of the events. They clarified that the incident occurred in the Demerara River, not at a creek; and that Payne was in a boat with family members when it sank. While swimming to safety, Payne reportedly suffered a cramp, panicked, and water entered his lungs, leading to his death.
A post-mortem examination conducted by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh on December 30, 2024 at the Memorial Gardens Mortuary has confirmed the cause of Payne’s death as drowning.
Payne’s body has since been released to his relatives for burial.