Closure for family after body recovered
Tributes continue to pour in for Raymond Pearson. The 23-year-old drowned after diving off the North Pier on Durban's beachfront.
FAMILY of 23-year-old Raymond Pearson, whose body washed up on Suncoast beach two days after he dived off North Pier, said they are relieved his body was recovered and they will finally find closure.
Pearson and a friend went to the beach on Tuesday and wanted to jump off the pier into the sea. A day after Pearson went missing, a large crowd gathered at the spot from where he had jumped. Tributes also continued to pour in on his social media page.
“The term “hero” is thrown around more often than it actually should be, but you will know a real hero when you see one. They are the people who do something for the greater good in an unselfish act. And you were one of those people Ray my guy. With your “never giver up” attitude. RIP bro. See you on the other side,” wrote Felo Sangweni on Pearson’s Facebook wall.
The two, Pearson and Ryan Agnew jumped into the water, but because of the current and high tide, it is alleged it was difficult for them to swim back to shore. Ryan, however, managed swim to shore.
The SAPS search and rescue team searched for his body, but because of the bad light, the search was called off for the day. Divers continued their search the next day, but could not find his body. On Friday afternoon, police contacted Pearson’s family to say his body had washed up on the beachfront area in front of Suncoast Casino.
Funeral arrangements have not been made as yet. A bank account is expected to be opened to help with funding towards the funeral. A memorial service for Pearson’s friends and family will take place in Durban this week.
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