Body found floating in pond is identified as Urlings native Alpha Tonge; foul play not suspected at this time

The Police continue to investigate the discovery of an elderly man’s body in the “East Country Pond,” located close to the Ministry of Agriculture’s headquarters, on Monday morning, November 21.

Reports say the body – identified as Alpha Tonge, formerly of Urlings – was dressed in a red T-shirt and was spotted floating at the edge of the pond shortly after 9 a.m.

Tonge is believed to have been in his early 70’s.

A medical doctor pronounced him dead at around 11:24 a.m., and the body was later removed to the Barnes Funeral Home.

At this time, the Police say that foul play is not suspected; however, a post mortem examination would have to be conducted to determine the exact cause of Tonge’s death.

Upon learning of the incident Monday morning, several residents had expressed the fear that the body was that of a special-needs teenager, a resident of Willikies, who has been missing since last Wednesday.

They have since said they experienced a “sense of relief” to hear the deceased was not Shamar Harrigan and they expressed sympathies to Tonge’s family.