The shroud of mystery surrounding the death of veteran roots play actor Cleve ‘Chu Chu’ Warren has been removed, after THE STAR was reliably informed that the actor died of complications from cocaine that was found in his stomach.
Last Friday, THE STAR reported that the 46-year-old actor died while undergoing treatment for an ‘undetermined illness’ at the St Ann’s Bay Hospital.
Information reaching THE STAR states, however, that 57 packets of cocaine were found and removed from the actor’s stomach, during an autopsy that was performed on his body yesterday morning.
According to reports, one of the packets had burst inside the actor.
A relative told THE STAR that the actor died hours before he was scheduled to leave the island for New York and later to the United Kingdom where his mother resides.
complete disbelief
The relative, who was also present while the autopsy was being conducted, told THE STAR that the family was shocked at what was revealed.
“The family was in shock, in complete disbelief when they saw the cocaine. They didn’t know he was into that, they are so embarrassed.”
The relative also revealed that the actor had allegedly planned for his death, stating that the day before he passed away he had gone to a popular St Ann’s Bay-based funeral parlour and selected the casket he would like to be buried in.
“When he died, the funeral home contacted us and said that Chu Chu had come in and choose his casket and told them that he wanted that parlour to take care of his body if he should die.”
The relative also told THE STAR that there is currently discontent among the actor’s lovers and parents about the location his body should be laid to rest.
“He was married to a woman overseas but she died sometime last year, so now the mother, matey and wifey are fighting over the body. Some want him to be buried in St Ann’s Bay, where he lived, and some want him to be buried in Port Morant, St Thomas, where he was originally from.”
THE STAR asked the relative why they were willing to divulge this personal information, and the relative stated, “I want this to be a warning to all those who are making their honest money and choose to divert because of greed.”
The St Ann’s Bay police were contacted and they confirmed that the illegal drug was indeed found in the late actor’s stomach.
Warren boasted over 20 years onstage and gained popularity after playing a feisty yet likeable woman called ‘Chu Chu’ in the roots play Passa Passa.