Case of deceased policeman now with Coroner’s Court

Police Commissioner Mark Collins has stated that the case of deceased policeman Detective Sergeant Paul France is out of his hands and is now a matter for the Coroner’s Court.

The Coroner is an official who holds inquiries into violent, sudden, or suspicious deaths in the British Virgin Islands. Speaking recently on Tola Radio, the Commissioner said the autopsy report that was recently done by UK officials will be handed over to the Coroner who will be responsible for giving further comments on the matter, if necessary.

“This is a matter for the Coroner’s Court now and the body still hasn’t been released yet so I have not had a final report yet. But when that final report comes, it will go to the Coroner and the body will be released and repatriated back to the UK,” Commissioner Collins revealed.

He continued: “It will then be down to the Coroner’s Court to make any further comments on the matter.”

In October, France’s lifeless body was recovered by first responders and public-spirited residents from an SUV that was found submerged just off the rocky shorefront area adjacent to the parking lot opposite the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital.

There were no immediate clues of what may have led to his death, but the authorities say there were no evident signs of foul play.

At the same time, Commissioner Collins did say he isn’t ruling out any possibility but would prefer to wait for the final report on the matter.

“I don’t think we can rule out a medical episode and I don’t think we can rule out a malfunction with the vehicle, but let’s just see,” Collins said.