Kenyan man identified as Niagara County drowning victim
By Diasporamessenger
11/24/09
A Kenyan man identified as Ireri Gitari, 57 was found dead in Meyers Lake in Lewiston New York on Saturday November 21. 09
According to investigators, Gitari has been in the U.S. for about 15 years but they were unable to verify the next of kin.
Lewiston Police Sgt. Frank Previte said Gitari was with a small group of people camping in the area of Meyers Lake. The group was eating and drinking around a small fire and Gitari apparently wandered off into a wooded area and got lost. State police and Border Patrol officers were called in and an extensive search followed, using K-9 officers, night-vision equipment and ATV patrols. After about two hours of searching, Gitari’s body was found in Meyers Lake. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
It is believed that Gitari, was intoxicated at the time of his death and the death is not considered suspicious.“Several potential contributing factors are being looked into, such as intoxication, water temperature, (his) weight of clothing and swimming skills.”
