THE decomposing body of a gold miner, who was reported missing by family members, was fished out from the Essequibo River at around 17:50 hours on Friday. Dead is Exley Boyal, a 40-year-old from Batavia Village, Cuyuni River.
Police Headquarters said that examinations were done on his body by a crime scene technician and no marks of violence were seen.

However, a ‘blood-like’ substance was seen oozing from his nostrils. Boyal’s body was then taken to the Bartica Hospital’s mortuary for storage as it awaits a post-mortem examination.
According to reports, the miner went missing on Thursday last between 8:30 hours and 10:45 hours while travelling from Bartica to Burn Bush, Essequibo River.
On the aforementioned date at around 10:45 hours, a boat captain from Falmouth Essequibo River called the Bartica Police Station and reported that he saw a small wooden boat called “Ballahoo” with a 15 hp Yamaha outboard engine drifting in the vicinity of Byderabo, Essequibo River.

He also stated that the engine was on, but no one was in the boat.
The scene was visited by a police rank, and the said boat was seen. The boat was then searched, and a ZTE Cellular phone and four five-gallon pails were found. Thereafter, the boat was taken to the Bartica Police Station, where it was lodged. A telephone number for the wife of the deceased was obtained, and she was contacted shortly after by the police and told of the discovery.
The woman confirmed that Boyal was her husband and identified the boat as their property.

She told the police that on April 18 at 8:30 hours, she, along with her husband and a 59-year-old chainsaw operator from Batavia Village, travelled to Bartica.
She further disclosed that she disembarked at Bartica Market, while her husband and the chainsaw operator proceeded to Burn Bush, Essequibo River.

The 59-year-old man was contacted and questioned by police ranks. He indicated that after Boyal’s wife disembarked at Bartica Market, he and her husband went to Sherry’s Saw Mill at Burn Bush Essequibo River. But before proceeding there, he said they stopped at Dass’s Liquor Store at First Avenue, Bartica, purchased half a bottle of High Wine and started imbibing.
He stated that he and Boyal arrived safely at Sherry’ Saw Mill, and after a while, Boyal left Burn Bush, to return to Bartica in the boat. Investigations are ongoing.