An investigation has been launched into the tragic death of a 67-year-old man who was found lifeless in a pool in Linden, Guyana. The deceased, Henry Gardener, had sunk to the bottom of the Toucan Mall’s pool at Amelia’s Ward, where a relative discovered him early Tuesday morning.
According to News Source Guyana, Gardener worked as a maintenance man at the facility, which was owned by his family. His relatives grew concerned after he failed to return to his living quarters the previous night.
On the night of his passing, Gardener went for a swim, and his final moments were recorded on a surveillance camera. The local Guyanese news outlet reported that the footage retrieved from the premises shows him diving into the pool shortly before 10 p.m. Monday. He swims across to the far edge of the pool and makes his way back, per the report.
A clip from the disturbing footage circulating on the internet shows him swimming back, during which time he appears to struggle. He can be seen thrashing his arms in the water before he eventually becomes still and sinks beneath the surface.
Authorities suspect he may have suffered a medical complication while in the water, per the report. While officials lean toward an accidental drowning, a post on social media platform X said that some speculate Gardener’s final moments may have been a symbolic gesture tied to the recent controversial death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge.
Adriana, who was found dead in a pool just weeks ago, stirred national outrage and heartbreak. Adriana vanished during a family outing at the Double Day International Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, on April 23. Her body was discovered in the hotel’s pool the following morning. There was speculation of foul play, leading to violent riots, including angry residents setting fire to the hotel and the home of its owner. A forensic autopsy later confirmed her cause of death as drowning.
