By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

The body found in a Freeport canal has been identified as that of retired police officer Frank Pearson who was reported missing earlier this week.

Police said they have no evidence at this time to suggest foul play.

Sgt Pearson was believed to be suffering from depression when he disappeared from home on Monday evening, according to his wife.

Police searched near his home, in the waterways and canal for him, but could not find him.

Inspector Terecita Pinder reported that Pearson’s body was discovered around noon on Wednesday at a canal in the Coral Road area.

She said police officers found him lying on his back at the edge of the canal. Medical personnel from the Rand Memorial Hospital pronounced him dead at the scene.

In a news report on ZNS, Mrs Pearson said that her husband had sought medical help for his condition on Monday, but was told that he could not be accommodated until the next day.

She said he was despondent when he returned home. They talked for a bit and she went to rest for awhile, she said.

When she awoke around 9pm, her husband was not at home, and his car keys and wallet were still on the table, she said. Mrs Pearson said she filed a missing person’s report with the police.

She stated that her husband had been ill, but became very depressed when their son was killed in a traffic accident in New Providence.

Police have not yet classified Pearson’s death and are awaiting the results of an autopsy.