Teen who died at Splashmins resort likely killed by speed boat propeller

The youngster was at the resort with family members last Saturday when he decided to take "one last dip" in the creek as they were getting ready to leave.

Teen who died at Splashmins resort likely killed by speed boat propeller

A post-mortem examination carried out on the body of 18-year-old Ronaldo Gomes, who died at the Splashmins resort over the weekend, is pointing to blunt trauma and multiple injuries as the cause of death.

The injuries are believed to have been caused by a pointed object, suspected to be a boat propeller.

The youngster was at the resort with family members last Saturday when he decided to take “one last dip” in the creek as they were getting ready to leave.

That decision proved fatal as he went missing. A search was launched and his lifeless body was discovered with slashes to the face and neck.

At the time of the youth’s disappearance, there were two speedboats traversing the creek, close to the swimming area.

The young man was in the area cordoned off for swimmers, according to relatives.

It is now suspected that one of the boats might have collided with him while turning around in the creek close to the swimming area, slashing his neck and face.

His body was discovered more than an hour after family members raised an alarm that he had gone missing and complained to the resort management.

They claimed that a search for his body was only started by the resort workers when his older brother left to contact the Police.

Family members suspected that the youth did not drown but was rather killed by the speedboat. They are now convinced that their suspicions were true.

They said when his body was found, his hands appeared to be in a holding position as if he was trying to hold on to the rope which cordons off the swimming area.  The body was also found with bite marks, believed to have been inflicted by fishes in the creek.

The Guyana Police Force is continuing its investigations as family members contemplate private action against the Splashmins’s Resort.

Gomes was described by family and friends as a jovial and caring young man who was always full of life.

Some friends have posted messages to his Facebook page, recalling their interactions over the years, as they offer tribute to his family.  He will be laid to rest next Tuesday.

The Splashmins Resort has not offered any statement on the incident.

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