Palm Wine Tapper Found Dead Hanging on Piassava Tree in River Gee

RiverGee County, Liberia: A tragic incident has been reported in River Gee County, where 47-year-old Andrew Weah Chea, a well-known palm wine tapper from Gbeapo Kanweaken the main commercial town of the county lost his life in a fire while harvesting piassava wine.

According to his family, the incident happened in the early morning hours of July 9, 2025. The exact cause of the fire is still unknown, as the police continue their investigation.

Andrew, an experienced farmer, usually climbed his piassava tree twice a day morning and evening to tap wine. On the morning of the tragedy, he went to check the tree as usual but never returned.

His sister, Comfort Chea, shared that the family grew worried when he didn’t come home by evening. “We had no idea something had gone wrong until last night,” she said. “When we began searching this morning, I was heartbroken to find my dear brother, who was only trying to support his family, hanging lifelessly.”

Andrew leaves behind his wife, two children, and several other relatives who are now left to cope with his sudden loss.

The incident drew immediate attention from the County Coroner, Derrick Keah, and officers of the Gbeapo District Police, who launched an investigation. They were joined by a jury made up of fifteen local residents who helped recover Andrew’s body from the tree.

After their examination, the jury found no signs of foul play. Coroner Keah later turned the body over to the family for burial.

Since the incident, many local piassava wine tappers have raised concerns about their safety. In response, local authorities are now considering steps to help prevent such tragedies from happening again.