Relatives of Omar Mitchell, the Linden boy who was thrown into the Demerara River on Tuesday and subsequently disappeared, had their worst fears confirmed when the youngster’s body was discovered early yesterday morning.
Mitchell, 14, of Half Mile Wismar, was discovered around 2 am yesterday by two young women who were in a boat. According to Mitchell’s aunt Cheryl Waithe, the boy’s body was spotted going down the river, heading towards Christiansburg. It had already crossed the last boat landing, Waithe added.
After spotting the body, the women immediately alerted the boat’s captain who in turn contacted the police. Mitchell’s family was contacted soon afterwards and arrived just in time to witness his body being brought ashore. He was taken to the Mackenzie Hospital where he was officially pronounced dead.
Waithe further said that a post-mortem examination (PME) will be conducted this morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
Meanwhile, the 17-year-old who had been detained by the police for reportedly tossing Mitchell overboard remains in custody, Waithe confirmed.
Waithe explained that she and others have been hearing reports that the teen might be released following Mitchell’s PME. However, this is just hearsay and nothing has been confirmed by the police, Waithe emphasised.
She went on to say that Mitchell’s mother, who had suffered some breakdowns since her son’s disappearance, is “holding up so far” and has indicated that she will not pursue her son’s death in court. Instead, she will “leave it up to God.”
According to reports, Mitchell, his friends and the 17-year-old had all gone to the river in the vicinity of the Mackenzie River Bridge to bathe and swim respectively. Despite being informed by Mitchell that he could not swim, the eldest of the teens nevertheless threw him overboard. Mitchell kept sinking and finally disappeared before the 17-year-old could firmly grip his hand.
Relatives told Stabroek News that the 17-year-old ran home but told no one of what had occurred. It was the others who later alerted residents. Mitchell, the second of five children, was described as a quiet and loving child who avoided trouble.
