The body of 43-year-old Gladstone Haynes was found at 6.30 this morning at the Orinduik Falls in the North Pakaraimas.
Haynes allegedly drowned on October 30th, 2022 at about 15:00hrs at Orinduik Falls.
Police ranks from Orinduik Police Station in Regional Division #8 visited the scene about 15 minutes later (15:15 hrs on Oct 30th).
Investigations were carried out which revealed that Haynes and his children’s mother Vanessa Alicia Vassell, a 34-year-old United States (US) citizen were on a tour from Ogle Airport to Kaieteur Falls and then to the Orinduik Falls, along with other tourists.
Vassell was celebrating her birthday on the day in question.
Enquiries disclosed that Gladstone was swimming below the Orinduik Falls in the water, which was high and streaming heavily at the time. He reportedly went under the surface of the water and disappeared.
A party of police ranks and other persons went in search of Gladstone but his body was not found. The search continued and his body was found this morning.
Haynes was a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer.
The NYPD yesterday confirmed Haynes’ disappearance. A NYPD spokesman said, “We are assisting the state department and local authorities with their investigation.”
Haynes joined the NYPD in 2005 and has spent most of his career in the 70th Precinct Flatbush. The man’s father was a member of the Guyana Police Force.
The disappearance of the man has raised questions about the responsibilities of the tour guide. Stabroek News contacted the Guyana Tourism Authority for comment but was told that the relevant officials were out of region. Haynes was flown to Orinduik by Air Services Limited. There has been no statement from it on this incident.
