Conflicting Reports on Gym Teacher's Death

The body of a Waterbury teacher was found in a Bahamas harbor Monday

Updated 8:08 AM EST, Thu, Jan 8, 2009

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Police in the Bahamas are giving conflicting statements about their investigation of a Connecticut gym teacher's death.

The body of Tim Massa, 30, was found Monday floating in a marina on Paradise Island in Nassau, near the Atlantis hotel and resort, where he was staying with his brother and some friends.

Reginald Fergusan, acting commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, told The Tribune of Nassau that police are investigating the death as suspicious. However, Assistant Police Superintendent Walter Evans told the Nassau Guardian that foul play is not suspected.

Officials are waiting for the results of an autopsy and toxicology report that they hope will determine how Massa died.

Massa was in the Bahamas on vacation, celebrating the New Year, went he went missing.

He spent Saturday partying with his brother, Jeffrey, and two friends, his brother Chris said Tuesday during a news conference at the family's Naugatuck home.

"This is a difficult time," he said. "Losing a loved one is not easy."

Tim left the group to return to his hotel room early Sunday morning to sleep before catching an early flight. When Jeffrey checked on his brother hours later, he found Tim's cell phone, luggage and room key in his room, Chris said. There were no immediate signs of foul play.

He searched for Tim and notified hotel security, which called police.

Monday night, Tim’s body was found in a harbor at the Atlantis Resort and Hotel in Nassau.

Tim was a seasoned traveler who had visited more than 80 cities around the world, his family said. He had never missed a flight before, which immediately raised concerns among family members, Chris said.

Massa was a physical education teacher at Waterbury Arts Magnet School.