A 30-year-old sawman of Mashabo Village, Ron Raphael, is believed to have drowned on Friday afternoon12.30 and 13.00 hours after bathing in Lake Mashabo located on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two.
Investigations revealed that Raphael lived with his father, Elie Raphael, in the village. The elder Raphael told police that he last saw his son alive on Friday at about 11:30 hours before he left home. However, according to a cousin who resides in the same village, at about 12.00 the same day, he went to the water front where he saw Ron bathing in the lake. The cousin noted that prior to that, Ron was seen earlier in the village imbibing alcohol.
However, about half an hour later, he did not see Ron in the lake, so he quickly took off his clothing and ventured into the water where he last saw Ron and started to search for him. Shortly after, the cousin said that he stumbled upon something that was floating in the water and discovered it was Ron.
Ron was subsequently pulled out of the water by his cousin. The body was examined and no marks of violence were observed.
