UPDATE: Search team to renew efforts for missing man on Sun. Dec. 22
Ms Bacchus has insisted that she has not given up hope of finding her husband and will continue as long as there are unanswered questions.
Police reportedly recovered some evidence recently and this is expected to be tested for DNA matches to the missing man. Ms Bacchus confirmed that this was related to her but said that she will continue to search until any information resulting from the tests is conclusive.
There have been no reports of any discoveries made by other search teams comprised of officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) or Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) thus far.
“On Monday the RVIPF led another major land and sea search for the missing man who was reportedly swept off the rocks while fishing at Cooper Bay on December 8. Officers of the Marine Branch and Tactical Units were joined by VISAR, along with family and friends in searching the adjoining bays and the seas across to Jost Van Dyke. The missing man has still not been found,” Police Information Officer Ms Diane Drayton related to Virgin Islands News Online.
The team is expected to assemble in the vicinity of Fahie Hill this Sunday before proceeding along the search route. According to Ms Bacchus, searches are expected to be taken in an easterly direction of where the men were last seen.
See previous story posted December 16, 2013:
Wife clings to hope of finding missing Guyanese man
- VISAR to continue searches this week
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - A search team returned without results after combing several stretches of the northern shoreline of Tortola for missing Guyanese, Roger Fraser aka 'Scarry' yesterday, December 15, 2013.
Fraser, 41, went missing one week ago on December 8, 2013 after leaving his Long Trench home for a fishing expedition in the Cooper Bay area with close friend and fellow Guyanese, Kendeye Thomas. The two often told persons they were brothers because of their closeness and shared fishing as a favourite pastime.
Both men were reportedly swept out to the sea by strong waves while fishing near rocks in the Cooper Bay area. Thomas' body was discovered the following day, December 9, 2013 in the Larmer's Bay area after it washed ashore. He was reportedly planning a trip to Guyana within the coming days to meet relatives after being away for nearly a year.
An eight-member team comprising several friends of Fraser and his wife, Rehani Bacchus, embarked along the treacherous pathway that took the two missing men to the area where they were last seen on that fateful day.
Searches were also done in the Cane Garden Bay and Brewers Bay areas without success.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online, Bacchus related that the couple had been together for nearly two decades. The mother of three said Fraser left home hurriedly after speaking with a friend on the phone whom she presumed to be Thomas. He was reportedly playing a game of 'Patience' [Solitaire], which he loved and asked Bacchus to pack up the cards as he left. They were the final words she was to hear from her husband before he disappeared.
Rehani described Roger as a friendly, jovial and loving person and although she acknowledges that the passage of time may make his safe return all the more difficult, she is keen on answers to the entire episode, both for herself and his mother who is currently in the Virgin Islands on vacation. Fraser reportedly sang the happy birthday song for his mother on the day of his disappearance.
The missing man's wife has not given up hope and continues to press forward in a very brave manner, especially for the three children who are currently at home in Guyana and anxious for news of his safe return.
Persons having any information about Fraser's whereabouts are encouraged to contact the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
Meanwhile, Head of the Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) Mr Philip Aspinall related that his team last conducted searches on Friday December 13, 2013 for the missing man and will now focus their efforts along the shores.
"We're working with the police on that," Aspinall disclosed, "we're scheduled to go out again [today, December 16]." He also related that Bacchus and Fraser's mother have been in contact with him daily for updates.
Searches were conducted in both eastern and western directions of where the two men were last seen, "We're expecting if anything that if he is going to come ashore, that he will come ashore in that very same area," Aspinall stated.
The group has gone as far west as Brewers Bay. He described the ocean's condition as "nasty" and said they have been rough and unpleasant all week and too rough to put divers into.
Efforts made to contact Public Relations Officer, Ms Diane Drayton for any comment on the status of police investigations proved unsuccessful up to post time.
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