Police Provide Details on Drowning of Newly Baptised Teen

Cayden Stewart, a student of Edward Percival Yorke High School in Belize City, drowned over the weekend in Gracie Rock.

The 16-year-old has joined others of the Queen Street Baptist Church for a baptism ceremony on March 29. After the baptism, Stewart and other attendees went swimming. About ten minutes later, Stewart was seen submerging and not resurfacing. Despite immediate search efforts, Stewart was found lifeless on the riverbank. No visible injuries were reported, and the body was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital morgue for a post-mortem examination.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero provided details to reporters this morning.

He stated, “On Saturday, police responded to a report of a drowning at Gracie Rock. Upon arrival, they saw the lifeless body of Cayden Stewart, 16 years. Information that he was along with several other persons, swimming when he went under the water and did not resurface.”

Romero added that those present at the scene began searching for Stewart. “No signs of injuries were observed on the body.”

Romero confirmed that the tragic incident took place following a baptism. “They had a baptism prior to going swimming in that area…The area is deep and he went under and he was not seen until the persons began to search.”

Edward Percival Yorke High School said in a statement, “This one hit hard … Cayden was to graduate on June 1st. Life is fragile … may each day we love genuinely and let those we love know how much we love them. Do not take people, life, and time for granted.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education stated, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to Cayden’s family, friends, teachers, and classmates during this difficult time. His passing is an immense loss not only to his school community but to the entire education family.”