Neil Blyden was ill

Reports are that there is so far no obvious sign of foul play regarding the death of prominent businessman and radio announcer, Neil Blyden, also known as Mr Melee.

Blyden was displaying flu-like symptoms over his last few days, but he is said to have had other ailments for years.

A local doctor visited his residence and carried out medical examinations up to a few hours before he passed away, BVI News Online has confirmed.

The cause of death is yet to be ascertained.

Further reports are that Blyden’s wife, Janice, found him unresponsive in their living room when she returned home after sunset on January 1.

A doctor later pronounced Blyden dead.

The matter – like all other sudden deaths – is being investigated by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

The late Blyden, 57, was the operator of ZVCR FM as well as marketing company Neil Blyden & Associate.

He unsuccessfully contested the 1995 general election as an At-Large candidate for the Virgin Islands Party, and finished fifth out of 24 At-large candidates. Alred Frett, at the time, got the fourth and final At-Large seat in the House of Assembly.

Blyden later served under the Virgin Islands Party government as Chairman of the BVI Tourist Board from 1999 to 2003 and then from 2010 to 2011.