Ignite News Reports : Four individuals are in police custody as investigations continue into the death of 15-year-old Aarif Azeez at the Hot and Cold Lake in Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast, with the teenager’s family raising serious concerns about possible foul play and the handling of the probe.
Azeez reportedly drowned on April 6 while on a recreational outing with friends at the lake. A post-mortem examination concluded that he died by drowning, with injuries described as consistent with a heavy impact to the right side of his body. However, his family has disputed the circumstances surrounding his death, citing what they describe as significant inconsistencies between eyewitness accounts and the physical evidence.
Relatives noted that while one account suggested Azeez fell from a jet ski and failed to resurface, the condition of his body — recovered the following day — does not align with that version of events. The body showed multiple injuries including fractures, bruising, and trauma to the face. Damage was also observed on the jet ski itself.
Adding to the family’s suspicions, the jet ski Azeez had been riding was found approximately 1,700 feet from the reported point of the incident, while another jet ski remained closer to that location — a detail relatives say raises further questions.
The family has also accused police in Region Two of negligence, alleging that key witnesses were not interviewed and that investigators relied heavily on accounts provided by persons who were present at the scene. They are calling for the case to be transferred to the Major Crimes Unit in Georgetown and for an independent investigation to be conducted, urging that all evidence be properly compiled before submission to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
