ST. THOMAS - – The elderly man retrieved from the St. Thomas harbor in the area of First Bank last Tuesday, November 13, 2007 has been identified as 82-year-old St. Thomas (Hodges Street) resident, Nevis native, Elmo Hassel. Mr. Hassel was identified by his niece. At approximately 10:30am that day a woman, identifying herself as Mr. Hassel’s landlord, reported him missing and last seen by neighbors at approximately 8:00pm Sunday, November 11th.

Last Tuesday, November 13th police responded to a call of a lifeless body in the water. Officers from the VIPD Patrol Unit, Forensic, Investigations, Major Crime; DPNR, Lottery, St. Thomas Rescue; along with officials from the Medical Examiners office and Chief of Police Rodney Querrard responded to the scene. Police say the body was fully clothed (including shoes) and displayed no signs of trauma at the time of retrieval. The Medical Examiner’s office has ruled his death a drowning.