QUEPEM: The body of Prakalp Gawas Desai, the youth from Xeldem who was reported missing since early Thursday morning, was found floating near the banks of the Zuari River on Friday morning, following a 24-hour search operation. Praklap was 23 years old and is believed to have committed suicide because he was unemployed.
Prakalp had sent a message to his father in the early hours of Thursday, stating his intention to commit suicide, after which the police were informed, and began searching for him. Curchorem PI Vaibhav Naik said that Prakalp was stressed about his future and suffering from depression because he had completed his diploma a few years ago, but had not been able to find a job.
On Thursday morning, his scooter and mobile phone were found abandoned on the Sanvordem bridge, leading authorities to believe he had jumped into the Zuari River.
Marine police and fire services conducted search operations until midnight, and his body was discovered on Friday, near the ACM jetty.
The body has been sent to the South Goa District Hospital in Margao for a post-mortem examination. PI Vaibhav Naik confirmed that the cause of death was drowning.
