Labourer reportedly drowns in Capoey Lake

Mortimer Sooknanan, a 33-year-old labourer of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, reportedly drowned over the weekend at Capoey Lake, Essequibo Coast.

Police said that enquiries disclosed that on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at about 11:00 hrs, Mortimer, along with his 30-year-old brother, Naitram Sooknanan, and two other friends, were at the lake consuming alcohol.

According to Naitram, at approximately 13:30 hrs, they were all swimming in the lake when he observed Mortimer emerge from the water and sit on a bench in the boat landing area.

He said that around 14:00 hrs, he noticed Mortimer was no longer there, and they began searching for him, but were unable to locate him.

Naitram and other relatives returned to the lake at around 08:00 hrs on Sunday and continued the search. They later found Mortimer’s body submerged in the water.

The body was retrieved and examined by detectives, who observed what appeared to be fish bites on the neck, back, and left ear.

It was then escorted to the Suddie Public Hospital, where a doctor on duty examined the body and pronounced him dead on arrival.

The remains are at the Suddie Public Hospital Mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination. Investigations are ongoing.