Police are investigating the death of a 32-year-old man who drowned after jumping into waters outside the International Waterfront Centre at Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, on Thursday.
According to reports, around 7.52 pm, limers at the seafront complex contacted police when they noticed the man behaving suspiciously as he walked along the edge of the embankment near to the five-star Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Homicide detectives said the man spoke with two concerned onlookers before he jumped into the sea. Eyewitnesses did not dive in to save him because of choppy water and poor lighting conditions.
Coast Guard officers and divers were dispatched and the man’s body was eventually recovered. Emergency Health Services (EHS) personnel were unable to resuscitate him after he was brought to shore around 9.30 pm.
The man was later identified as Satyam Mahabir, of Cipero Road, Golconda. An autopsy will be performed at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, on Tuesday.
Investigators believe that Mahabir may have committed suicide, as he was fully clothed and ignored several “No swimming” warning signs before he chose to dive in.
Eyewitness interviewed by police said the man was incoherent and did not explain his reason for taking his life.
“More than likely he had some underlying psychological issue or issues. We will only be able to confirm when we speak more with his family, but usually depression is not widely diagnosed,” a senior homicide detective said in a telephone interview yesterday.
Detectives of the Region One Homicide Bureau are continuing investigations.
Easter Warning
Contacted yesterday, Coast Guard public relations officer Lt Commander Kirk Jean-Baptiste also issued a warning for all people spending the Easter weekend at the nation’s beaches.
“We would like to remind people that at Easter the sea is particularly different from what you would know it as during the year. The sea is no place to play,” he said.
He also warned people using small vessels to wear their life jackets at all times.
“Please supervise all small children in any water facility, be it at the beach or river,” Jean-Baptiste said.