Police in Regional Division #7 are currently investigating the suspected drowning of 72-year-old Philistine Franci, also known as ‘PI’, a pensioner from Karrou Village, Essequibo River. The incident is believed to have occurred between Wednesday, May 15, 2024, and Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Karrou Village, Essequibo River.
The investigation revealed that Franci had been missing from her home since May 15, 2024. On May 16, 2024, at around 13:00 hours, police received a report of a body floating in the Essequibo River. In response, a search party comprising Karrou Village residents and police was formed.
The search party discovered the body at approximately 16:30 hours on Sunday, May 19, 2024, in the vicinity of Hubakabra, Karrou Village, Essequibo River. The body, believed to be Franci, was found floating face down and was clad in a burgundy skirt and a multicolored top. The victim was identified as a female of Amerindian descent.
Due to the advanced state of decomposition, it was not possible to determine if there were any marks of violence on the body. The scene was processed by the police, and the body was subsequently taken to Bartica Regional Hospital, where it was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor. The body was then placed in storage and is scheduled to be transported to Georgetown for a post-mortem examination.
The investigation is ongoing.
