PLACENCIA, Stann Creek District, Mon. July 1, 2019– The body of Philip Crabtree, 59, a retired British national living in Placencia, was found floating in the sea about two feet from the shore of Placencia at about 6:00 Saturday morning. He was taken to the Placencia Polyclinic, where he was officially declared dead.

Information to us is that Crabtree had been socializing with others in Placencia at about 10:00 Friday night, after which he left.

During the regular police press brief held this afternoon at the Raccoon Street Police Station, ACP Joseph Myvett said that Crabtree was seen  going towards the sea with a bottle of rum. It is not known where he went, and what happened.

A man who was saw the body in the sea near the shore called police. On their arrival, police saw Crabtree floating face-up, and they observed that there was a cut above his left eye and abrasions on his hands.

Police took him to the polyclinic, where he was declared dead by  the doctor who was on duty. A post-mortem exam was carried out on Crabtree’s body this morning at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, and the autopsy certified that his death was caused by drowning, said ACP Myvett.

Those who know him said that Crabtree came to Placencia in April and he was a very private person. He also knew his limit when drinking, and never appeared to over-drink. His friends are at a loss as to what could have caused him to drown.