ST. JOHN — Chris Bettencourt, an employee of the Westin Resort on the small island, was found dead at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday morning in what’s being reported as a possible drowning accident.
Bettencourt was known for his frequent kayaking and had gone out to sea on Wednesday afternoon.
The incident was made known via a VIPD press release on Friday afternoon. According to Kevin Jackson, the force’s public information officer, police were dispatched to the Westin Resort at around 11:57 a.m. on Wednesday in reference to the drowning.
One of Bettencourt’s co-workers told police that he received a call from a National Park Ranger at about 11:40 a.m. stating that the victim’s kayak was located, however there was no sign of the deceased.
The U.S. Coast Guard was subsequently contacted for assistance but several attempts on Wednesday produced no favorable results. The Coast Guard continued its search on Thursday and found the victim’s unresponsive body at 9:00 a.m.
Police are continuing their investigation into the occurrence.
Feature Image: Westin Resort, St. John.
Tags: man drowns in st. john usvi, st. john kayak drowning
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