Body of missing tourist found at Orinduik Falls
The body of Gladstone Haynes, the 43-year-old tourist who apparently drowned while visiting the Orinduik Falls on Sunday was recovered yesterday morning.
Police confirmed that Haynes’ body was found at 6.30 am at the Orinduik Falls in the North Pakaraimas.
Haynes, 43, reportedly drowned around 3 pm on Sunday while swimming in the water below the Orinduik Falls.
Reports revealed that Haynes and the mother of his children, Vanessa Alicia Vassell, a 34-yearold United States (US) citizen was 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 on 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 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.
The NYPD on Tuesday confirmed Haynes’ disappearance. A NYPD spokesman said, “We are assisting the state department and local authorities with their investigation.”
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.
The disappearance of Haynes 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.