The Coast Guard has retrieved the body of 29-year-old Denton Rivas after he drowned in the Sibun River. The prison guard reportedly went swimming near mile 21 on the George Price Highway on Monday with his family, but when he went underwater, he did not resurface.
Commandant of the Coast Guard, Gregory Soberanis, told us that they received the call yesterday and have been searching for him since. We spoke to Soberanis earlier this afternoon, not long after the body had been retrieved. At this point, the identity had yet to be confirmed.
Commander Gregory Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
"We are currently conducting, as it relates to the drowned victim, Mr vas, we are currently conducting surface and sub surface searches for him. We are hoping that by today, latest tomorrow that we would be able to locate him and bring closure to his family, so that operation is currently ongoing."
Rivas' body was taken out of the river around 10:30 this morning, while police, coast guard officers, family members, and other villagers were searching in the river. Foul play is not suspected.
