By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (TUESDAY 6TH FEBRUARY, 2018)-Widespread public debate concerning the death of 23-year-old Shaquille Pemberton now continues after police have revealed that the forensic pathologist has changed his ruling on the natural causes autopsy results after lab tests conducted overseas.

As a result, investigations into the young man’s death is opened once again.

“The Police issued a press release on February 03, 2018 which relied on the report provided by the Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Valery Alexandrov regarding the death of Shaquille Pemberton. His initial report indicated that Mr. Pemberton’s death was as a result of natural causes. However, since undertaking further laboratory tests in Trinidad, Dr. Alexandrov has now revised his opinion and ruled that the method of death is undetermined,” said a police press release issued shortly before 6:00 PM today.

Furthermore, it was stated that 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 local authorities have indicated 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.

Pemberton’s body was found in the Gillards Meadows area on Saturday 27th January by a passer-by who reported it to the St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services, who then reported it to the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police.

On the evening that the young man’s body was found, police had corrected initial information which classified the lifeless body discovery as a homicide.

A police source who at first informed that police were “investigating a homicide” about half an hour later said “I have been further advised that it has not been classified as a homicide however, a body was found.”

In light of this new development, people who had taken to social media questioning the autopsy results and those who had expressed disappointment that individuals were criticising the credibility of a forensic pathologist now have a fresh discussion at hand.

Notably, even after the initial autopsy results publicised over the past weekend, the father of the deceased, well-known businessman Nigel Arthurton, kept firm in his belief that his son was killed.