By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News|
MOCHA ARCADIA, EAST BANK DEMERARA — A family in Mocha Arcadia is plunged into mourning following the sudden and tragic death of 58-year-old Otis Forris, whose lifeless body was discovered submerged in a drainage canal within the East Bank Demerara community.
Forris, a father of five who lived in Mocha Arcadia, was employed with the local Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). His body was found by residents in a canal located at Block B, Mocha Arcadia, an area described by family members as an active agricultural and farming section of the village backdam.
Family Grieves “Kind-Hearted” Father of Five
The discovery has left relatives in deep shock, struggling to piece together his final movements.
- Daughter’s Final Conversation: His daughter, Dacia Hommes, recalled the devastating moment she received the phone call informing her of her father’s death. She described him as a devoted parent who always checked in on his family, noting that their last conversation occurred just two days prior when he called simply to inquire about her well-being.
- Tribute from Relatives: Hommes remembered her father as a deeply caring and generous man who was always willing to lend a helping hand to fellow villagers.
- Frequent Backdam Traveler: The deceased’s sister, Cheryl Forris, shared that her brother spent significant amounts of time in the backdam area, frequently walking the farming access paths as part of his daily routine.
Unclear Circumstances and Police Inquiries
The precise circumstances surrounding how Forris ended up in the canal have not yet been determined.
Family members noted that it remains completely unclear whether he slipped and suffered an accidental fall while traversing the area, suffered a medical emergency, or if foul play was involved.
The Guyana Police Force has launched an inquiry into the discovery. Forris’s body was escorted to a mortuary, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted to officially determine the cause of death.
