18-Y-0 girl found dead in Berbice River

Police are investigating the death of 18-year-old Melissa Soman whose body was found floating in the Berbice River, in the vicinity of DeVeldt Village Thursday hours after she left a birthday party in Gaettroy Village.

Police Headquarters revealed that the teenager was returning home from the birthday party in the company of a 48-year-old labourer of New Amsterdam, Berbice at around 20:30h on June 17 in his wooden boat.

The labourer, who is now in Police custody, told investigators that during the boat ride home, Soman informed him that she and her boyfriend were “having problems and then she suddenly jumped overboard.”

According to the Police statement, the suspect revealed that he tried to rescue her but it was unsuccessful.

The suspect further told the Police that he raised an alarm and a search party was formed but the young lady’s body was found floating the next day on the eastern side of the river at around 15:00h.

It was observed that the upper portion of her body, her face and right hand appeared to have been eaten by fish.

The body is presently lying at New Amsterdam Hospital Mortuary, awaiting post mortem examination.

The News Room understands that Soman, who resided at Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, left her parents’ house and her 2-year-old son a few months ago telling them she was going up the Berbice River with her boyfriend.

Her parents did not see or hear from her since.