WATER ISLAND — For one St. Thomas family, it was the worst possible outcome less than a day before Father’s Day.
Because their father/spouse tragically drowned while celebrating the 35th anniversary of his graduation with classmates at Honeymoon Beach.
Lannie Sylvester Bussue Sr., 54, was pronounced dead at the Schneider Regional Medical Center about 8 p.m. Saturday, the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) said.
Bussue was spotted in the water not moving at Honeymoon Beach on Water Island, according to the VIPD.
“The victim was removed from the water and CPR was administered, he was transported to Schneider Regional Medical Center and shortly thereafter, medical personnel concluded that he did not have any vital signs,” Glen Dratte, the VIPD spokesman, said.
Police said that a preliminary investigation revealed that Bussue went to Honeymoon Beach on Water Island with his classmates of 1983 to attend a function.
Next of kin on St. Thomas identified Bussue as the “unresponsive” man who was pulled from the water off Water Island.
Dratte said the official cause of death will be determined by an autopsy.