The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is classifying four of the recent deaths as inconclusive following lengthy investigations by its Crime Division.
Autopsy reports and full inquiries into the causes of death in the cases of Franklyn Malone, Andrew Skerritt, Waleid Kachhour and Ryan Smolderen have not revealed any evidence that another person had been physically involved in bringing about the individuals’ demise. In such cases, Detective Inspector Vernon Larocque says, the Coroner will make the final determination.
“Upon conclusion of these investigations, a file is submitted to the Coroner’s Office who will make the final determination. The Coroner will direct any further actions in these cases in order to be satisfied that no other person participated in bringing about the deaths of these individuals. However, any new evidence which may surface will be treated with urgency and resolve,” the Detective Inspector noted.
Malone body was found in the waters off Fat Hogs Bay in November of last year and Skerritt body was found at his home in Carrot Bay in early February of this year with a single gunshot wound. The body of Kachhour was found in the waters near the Valerie Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay in late February 2021 with his hands and feet loosely tied and the body of Smolderen was found in the waters near Village Cay at the end of April.