The family of a Freeport man who went missing last week was devastated to find out Saturday that their loved one had died.

Slyborn Gilzean, 73, went missing on Nov. 20 after taking his daily walk along Freeport?s Nautical Mile. The senior citizen was legally blind, but his daughter, Audrey Gilzean, did not think this played a role in his disappearance. She said he could see well enough to not stumble over something that was in his way.

Audrey Gilzean?s fears about her father?s disappearance were confirmed when detectives arrived at her Nassau Avenue home to tell her that her father was dead. Slyborn Gilzean?s body was found by three fisherman, who spotted the body floating face down near the southern end of the Woodcleft canal on Saturday and called 911.

?At first, I didn?t think it was real,? Arnie Harris, one of the fishermen, said. ?I thought it was a Halloween prank.?

Audrey Gilzean said the police found her father?s ID on the body. She said she?s grateful for the closure that ended her days of worry and wondering, but that solace will be hard to find.

?It?s so hard and I can?t take it back,? Audrey Gilzean said. ?I can?t make anything change. He?s gone forever now.?

Slyborn Gilzean emigrated from Jamaica, did construction work to support his eight kids, and according to family and friends, always had a smile on his face. He is survived by his eight children and nine grandchildren.

Police have not yet released information on how he ended up in the water.

Related Information: