US college student drowned after boat capsized – Relative

A relative of an 18-year-old college student from Atlanta, Georgia, United States who drowned on December 26, 2024 is disputing reports by the Guyana Police Force about how the teen died.

Police Headquarters on Wednesday stated that Demarius Payne drowned while swimming at Coomacka Mines, Linden, Region 10.

His relative, Onica Narr, said that was not what transpired.

She stated that the family was in a boat that capsized and sank with them in the Demerara River.

“We (were) in a boat and the boat sink with us. DeMarius was never fished out anywhere neither did we (have) to look for him.

“Unfortunately, while he was swimming he caught a cramp and panicked, as a result of that water entered his lungs,” the relative stated in a Facebook post.

The teen was reportedly helping to save some of his relatives who were in the water after the boat capsized. He, however, suffered cramps while doing so.

The young man was later pulled from the river in a semi-conscious state by some relatives. He was pronounced dead at the Linden Hospital sometime after.