A post-mortem examination performed on the remains on Gladstone Haynes, the tourist who disappeared while swimming at the Orinduik Falls last week, revealed that he died as a result of asphyxiation due to drowning compounded by blunt trauma to the head.
A police source confirmed the findings of the post-mortem examination, which was conducted on Friday morning by Government pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh.
Haynes, 43, drowned around 3 pm last Sunday while swimming in the water below the Orinduik Falls.
His body was found at 6.30 am Monday at the Orinduik Falls in the North Pakaraimas.
Reports revealed that Haynes and the mother of his children, Vanessa Alicia Vassell, a 34-year-old United States (US) citizen, were on a tour with a group of other individuals.
They left Ogle Airport to visit the Kaieteur Falls and then to the Orinduik Falls.
Vassell was celebrating her birthday last Sunday.
“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,” the police had said.
A search and rescue operation consisting of members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was launched and Haynes body was found.
Haynes was a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer.
Haynes joined the NYPD in 2005 and spent most of his career in the 70th Precinct Flatbush. His father was a member of the Guyana Police Force.
Haynes’ accident has raised questions about the responsibilities of the tour guide. Haynes was flown to Orinduik by Air Services Limited. There has been no statement from ASL on this incident.
