By:Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 9, 2018 – A second autopsy is to be carried out on the body of Shaquille Pemberton, a day before the 23-year-old was to be laid to rest.
Pemberton’s body was discovered in a grassy area in Gillard Meadows on January 27. A police statement that evening said the body “appears to have injuries to the chest.”
Following an autopsy on February 3, Trinidad-based forensic pathologist Dr. Valery Alexandrov concluded that death was due to natural causes.
That conclusion sparked widespread public outcry and accusations of a cover-up.
Three days later, police said the pathologist revised his ruling, saying while Pemberton’s death was, in part, due to respiratory failure brought on by a viral infection of the heart, he is of the view that there are other inconsistencies surrounding the manner or mode of death that merited further investigation.
The Russian-born Alexandrov said in light of results of further laboratory tests that were conducted in Trinidad, the method of death is now undetermined.
That development further intensified public claims that Shaquille had in fact met with foul play and calls for a second autopsy.
The family went ahead and planned the funeral for February 8th, but police moved in and reclaimed the body as a result of the uncertainty of death.
The family has now confirmed that the funeral has been postponed until Monday, February 12, following the second autopsy this weekend.
Pemberton’s body was discovered by a passer-by.
Shaquille’s father, Nigel Arthurton, a local businessman, told relatives and friends his son was “brutally murdered.”
“We need justice. He never do anything. He was kidnapped Friday and tortured and found behind the airport…” said a family member in a posting sent to Washington-based Nevisian blogger Everton “Obi” Elliott.
Family members have also disclosed that Pemberton’s wallet and cell phone are still missing.