Hunter drowns in Belize River

The body of a hunter was found in the Belize River on Sunday. The mother of Bernardo Chiac, had reported that her son left home in Ontario Village in Cayo at about one thirty a.m. on November twenty sixth to go hunting. According to Tomasa Ha, her son went hunting on horseback with his shotgun and cartridges, but he did not return home later the evening as was tradition. She reported that she was concerned about his well being because he might have crossed the river. According to Superintendent Aaron Guzman, Officer in Charge of the Belmopan Police, the woman’s fears came through as the body of thirty-six year old Bernardo was found on Sunday.

Via Phone: Supt. Aaron Guzman, O.C., Belmopan Police
“He would have gone across the river on his horse. When Miss Tomasa made the report her son had not returned as yet. However, the horse was found at the banks of the river. She was concerned that there was a mishap that her son had tried to cross the river and there was a mishap. The investigator did go out there, officer Rash, but he couldn’t do anything future that night. Later on, on Saturday, during the course of the morning, the body of Bernardo was found further down from his house in an area known as Old Mill area. The police did not observe any signs to suspect foul play on the body and the body was retrieved from the river and Dr. Estradabran was taken out there Sunday morning to do the post mortem. However, because of the state of decomposition he could not come to a direct conclusion. But I must say though that when Mister Chiac was found he had his cartridges in his pocket. He had his gun sling on his shoulder and because we saw no wounds on him, nothing, it could be that he had fallen into the river and drowned.”