Haslington teen drowns in Atlantic Ocean

See full statement from the Guyana Police Force: 

Emmanuel Downer, a 14-year-old student of Lancaster Secondary School at Mahaica, who was residing at Lot 50 Haslington Village, East Coast Demerara, is reported to have drowned. The incident occurred at approximately 16:00 hrs on March 26, 2025 at Unity Beach, Mahaica.

Investigations so far revealed that the teen along with three other students, had left school in the afternoon and proceeded to Unity Beach, where they went swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. One of the students told investigators that they all entered an old freezer and while sailing out in the water, the freezer capsized after which Downer suddenly disappeared.

One of the students contacted Downer’s mother, Elisha Dailey, and informed her of the incident. As a result, a report was made to the Cove and John Police Station, leading to the formation of a search party.

Downer’s body was discovered approximately 500 meters away from shore on a sandbank in the Atlantic, entangled in a fishing seine, and lying face-up. The scene was processed and photographed. No visible marks of violence were observed.

The body was taken to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination. Statements were taken, and investigations are ongoing.