Another twist in the cause of death of 23-year-old Shaquille Pemberton as further tests show inconsistencies .
In a January 27 statement, hours after the youth’s body was discovered in bushes near the Control Tower at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force said “it appears to have injuries to the chest.”
On February 3, following an autopsy, the police ruled out foul play stating that the New Road resident died of natural causes.
“Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Valery Alexandrov, carried out a post mortem on the body of the late Shaquille Pemberton on Saturday (February 03). Dr. Alexandrov ruled that death was due to acute pulmonary failure due to haemorrhagic viral myocarditis and pneumonia,” the police statement said.
On Tuesday 6th February, police in another statement said since undertaking further laboratory tests in Trinidad, Dr. Alexandrov has now revised his opinion and ruled that the method of death is undetermined.
“While Mr. Pemberton’s death was due, in part, to acute pulmonary failure due to haemorrhagic viral myocarditis and pneumonia, the forensic pathologist is of the view that there are other inconsistencies surrounding the manner (mode) of death that merit further investigation,” the police statement said.
It added that “on this basis the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force are continuing investigations and will be seeking the support of the public to assist with their enquiries.”
It was not immediately clear whether funeral services planned for Thursday will proceed.
Pemberton’s father, businessman Nigel Arthurton had publicly stated his son “was brutally murdered.”
There have been two murders for the year in St. Kitts and Nevis.
On 17th January, 19-year-old Cleon Browne was gunned down in a hail of bullets as he walked along the road in Rawlins Village, Gingerland, Nevis.
On January 21 when the body of 45-year-old Shirley Dawn Morton was found at the home of her boyfriend Wayne “Spyer” Chapman.
The Federation last year recorded 23 murders. There were 31 murders in 2016; 28 in 2015; 21 in 2014; 21 in 2013 and 18 in 2012.