Update # 2: POLICE REPORT
Body found floating in Simpson Bay Lagoon
SIMPSONBAY, Sint Maarten — On Sunday, December 11, a patrol was dispatched to the Pink Iguana Restaurant on the Airport Boulevard where a body was discovered floating in the Lagoon. With assistance of the Coast Guard, the lifeless body of an adult male was pulled out of the Lagoon. His body was discovered at 9:30am.
After being examined by the forensic doctor, it was decided to confiscate the body for further investigation. There was no indication that foul play was involved in his death.
A search of his clothing revealed a British driver’s license and passport registered under the name of Russell Frank Hodgson. He was born on November 30, 1945.
The body was transported shortly afterwards to the Royal Funeral Home. Witnesses were questioned, and contact was quickly made with members of his family, who are expected to arrive on the island so that the body can officially be released.
Update # 1: December 11, 2016
SIMPSON BAY – A friend of the dead man, who was found this morning in the Simpson Bay lagoon, contacted 721news.
After requesting that they remain anonymous, they told 721news that the man the Coast Guard found is an English national living on a research power boat in the lagoon on the French side close to the causeway bridge.
The friend identified the dead man as “Russel” and stated that Russel was well-known by many residents, especially in the sailing circles.
The friend further said in an email: “it is presumed he died of a heart attack or was driven over in his dinghy by an unlit power boat on Saturday night. Speeding and unlit powerboats in the lagoon have killed a couple of people through the years, and this problem is known by the Coast Guard, who does nothing to tackle the situation.”
Up to late last night, no official press release from the Coast Guard or Police Spokesman was issued on this case.
Preview story.
SIMPSON BAY – On Sunday morning, December 11, at 10:45am the Dutch Coast Guard found the lifeless body of a man in the Simpson Bay lagoon. They brought it to the small pier where the old BBW cement plant used to be.
The body is that of a Caucasian man. It does not resemble any of the two young boys, who were reported missing last week.
Police, Coast Guard and the Public Prosecutor were at the scene, and the Public Prosecutor has confiscated the body for further investigation.
As soon 721news receives more details, we will update our readers.
