The body of an 18-year-old female whose face and right hand appeared to have been eaten by fishes, was yesterday fished out of the eastern side of the river in the vicinity of Gaettroy Village, Berbice.
Dead is Melissa Soman of Lot 58 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
Police, in a release said that the young woman was last seen alive on June 17, 2020, at around 20:30 hrs at Gaettroy Village, Berbice River. She was in the company of a 48-year-old labourer of New Amsterdam, Berbice, and at the time was returning home from a birthday party which was held in the same village where she lived.
At the time, Soman and the man were in his wooden boat. Police said that the teenager related to man that she and her boyfriend were having problems, after which she suddenly plunged overboard.
According to the release, the man immediately went to her rescue but was unable to save her. He reportedly then raised an alarm and a search party was subsequently formed.
However, around 15:00 hrs yesterday, the body of Soman was seen floating on the eastern side of the river in the vicinity of Gaettroy Village.
When police retrieved the body, it was observed that the upper portion of her face, and a right hand appeared to have been eaten by fishes.
The body is presently at New Amsterdam Hospital Mortuary, awaiting post mortem examination.
The 48-year-old labourer from whose boat the victim allegedly plunged, is in custody assisting with the investigation.
