Five years on, mother still without closure as daughter’s remains are buried

Five years after the tragic loss of her daughter, Waveny August is urging the Guyana Police Force to launch a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Waletta Rigby’s death. As the remains of the 44-year-old were finally laid to rest on Thursday, August’s call for justice has intensified.

On June 18, 2021, Rigby, a vendor originally from Edinburgh Village but residing in Linden, and her friend Shaunette Gonsalves, age 48, traveled to Bonfim, Brazil, via the Takutu Bridge for business purposes. Their return that evening took a disastrous turn when the small wooden boat they were in, piloted by an unidentified Brazilian, capsized around 10:30 PM due to its weight and the swift current. Gonsalves clung to a tree branch as she lost sight of Rigby, the captain, and the boat.

At 6:00 AM the next day, still holding onto the branch, Gonsalves spotted two men in a passing boat who came to her aid. She immediately reported the incident to the Lethem Police. Subsequent searches in the area of the capsized boat from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM turned up no sign of Rigby or the captain, with police noting that the water was flowing eastward at approximately 40 mph.

During an interview with reporters, August told reporters that in 2023, while selling at the New Amsterdam market, she was approached by a soldier who claimed to have overheard a startling statement from a former partner of Rigby’s, suggesting he was involved in her drowning. August acted quickly and contacted the Lethem Police to file a report.

Following a search, Rigby’s remains were eventually discovered near the Lethem border. In July 2023, August was called to identify the remains, recognizing her daughter by a distinct bow on her foot and a set of underwear.

In January 2025, while she was out of the country, August said the police confirmed to her through DNA testing that the remains were indeed Rigby’s.

August firmly believes that ex-partner is responsible for her daughter’s death, alleging that he may have killed Rigby to maintain a relationship with her 18-year-old granddaughter, who was living in the same home in Linden.

On February 5th, relatives and friends gathered, dressed in red and black, at the Friends Village church and cemetery to honor Rigby’s memory. The atmosphere was filled with grief, particularly as August and Rigby’s younger daughter were overcome with emotion.

“I need justice for my child. My child had to go into that small box and it’s really hard,” she said.