In a tragic incident that has left the River Gee community mourning, Andrew Weah Chea, a 47-year-old palm wine tapper from Gbeapo Kanweaken, was found dead on July 9, 2025.
The news surfaced as family members reported his sudden disappearance when he failed to return home from his usual harvesting routine.
Andrew, well-regarded in his community for his skill in tapping piassava wine, was last seen in the morning tending to his trees. His sister, Comfort Chea, conveyed her devastation over the loss, recounting how fears grew throughout the evening when he did not return.
“We had no idea that anything was wrong until last night. When we woke up this morning and began searching for him, I was heartbroken to find my dear brother, who was only trying to support his family, hanging lifelessly,” she said.
Survived by a wife and two children, Andrew’s death has left a significant void in his family’s life. Local authorities responded quickly to the scene, with County Coroner Derrick Keah and police from the Gbeapo district conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. They worked alongside a jury of fifteen community members to recover Andrew’s body.
Following their inquiries, the jury concluded that there was no foul play involved in Andrew’s tragic passing. Coroner Keah has since released his body to the family for funeral arrangements, allowing them to begin the grieving process.
The incident has raised pressing concerns among local piassava wine tappers regarding their safety while working. In light of this tragedy, local authorities are considering measures to enhance safety protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
As the community rallies around Andrew’s family during this difficult time, many are left reflecting on the dangers that exist in their daily work and the need for greater safeguards.
This heart-wrenching loss serves as a reminder of the risks faced by those who rely on traditional methods for their livelihoods and the importance of community support during times of grief.
