An 18-year-old college student, Demarius Wilabus Payne, tragically drowned while swimming in creek, Linden, on December 26, 2024, during a visit to Guyana to celebrate his birthday.
Payne, who was originally from Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and also had ties to Wismar, Linden, was with relatives at the time of the incident.
The teenager, who had traveled to Guyana to join family for his birthday festivities, ventured into the Coomaka Mines while swimming with family members. Reports indicate that he attempted to cross to the other side of the creek by swimming into deeper waters.
Tragically, Payne submerged under the water and did not resurface. His family, along with others present, immediately began searching the creek for him. His body was later found in an unconscious state.
Payne was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex, where medical staff pronounced him dead upon arrival. A post-mortem examination (PME) was performed on his body by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh at the Memorial Gardens Mortuary on December 30, 2024. Dr. Singh confirmed that the cause of death was drowning.
Following the examination, Payne’s body was returned to his relatives for burial.The community in Linden and his family are mourning the loss of the young man, who had traveled from the United States for what was meant to be a joyous occasion.
His tragic death serves as a reminder of the importance of water safety, especially when venturing into unfamiliar or deep waters.Payne’s relatives and friends remember him as a bright young man full of promise, and his untimely passing has left a deep void in their hearts.
