Why is Shaqhoi’s autopsy taking so long? Fireman’s family seeks answers
By Fitsroy Randall, BVI news Staff
Family members of the late firefighter, Shaqhoi Smith, are questioning why authorities have not yet performed an autopsy on their deceased loved one, stating that more than a month has elapsed since they requested for the post-mortem procedure to be done.
Speaking to BVI News this week, Smith’s cousin Chivon Fahie also questioned why the police did not initially request an autopsy considering the inconsistencies observed at the accident scene.
“They have seen enough motorcycle accidents to know what the impact of a motorcycle accident scene looks like. The hospital has seen enough motorcycle accidents to know what the injuries of a motorcycle accident are, and the accident scene and his injuries are not consistent with a motorcycle accident,” Fahie said.
“So, an autopsy should have been done. The police should have been investigating. That is another question I have as to why nothing has been done. I live in the US, and I came down for my cousin’s funeral. I have been here a little while after and I am displeased with the whole thing. I am sick and tired of waiting around patiently when no one is doing their job,” the grieving cousin said, expressing her frustration with the process.
She said the police has demonstrated that they do not care about the case as they have not shown enough interest in finding out what happened to the fireman.
“I don’t know what they investigate but if they cared they would have already investigated the autopsy. I don’t know where they drew that from. There was no bike on the scene. Everybody and their mother can tell it doesn’t make sense except the police. The thing is there are motorcycle accidents here every day. They know what motorcycle accidents look like,” Fahie said.
“So, ask the police why they did not investigate, why they did not do what they were supposed to do in the beginning. Not because someone drives a motorcycle means it was a motorcycle accident, especially when no motorcycle is on the scene. What on the scene says this was a motorcycle accident,” she added.
Smith’s cousin said the family will not give up until the truth is uncovered.
“We are going to find out what happened to Shaqhoi,” Fahie stated.
The police and BVIHSA’s response
BVI News checked with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to learn the status of the investigation and our news centre was informed that the family ordered the autopsy directly through the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) so the police has no control over scheduling.
We were also informed that the police are still investigating the matter.
Meanwhile, checks with the BVIHSA confirmed that the family did request an autopsy and that the Health Services Authority has been in contact with the family regarding the matter.
“It should be noted that based on the nature of this particular case, the organisation has deemed it necessary to be thorough in our approach. We can therefore confirm, that the BVIHSA is assisting the family with their request for an autopsy. In this respect, we are facilitating the visit of a Forensic Pathologist on behalf of the family,” the BVIHSA said in a statement.
The BVIHSA further said the organisation is expecting confirmation on the arrival date of the Forensic Pathologist this week and the family has been informed via their liaison.
“The current nature of this matter ordinarily takes it outside of the regular role of the BVIHSA. However, we are guided by our commitment to serving the BVI Community. As such, we have offered our full support to the family and maintained communication with the family’s liaison,” the BVIHSA.
The history
Police had reported that Smith was involved in a motor scooter accident on April 18 and succumbed to his injuries at the Dr D Orlando Smooth Hospital on April 22.
Smith’s motorcycle was not found at the scene when police arrived on there. However, the motorcycle was recently found intact.
A scheduled viewing and funeral service was held on May 21, 2022, but when it was time for the burial, the body was returned to the funeral home pending a post-mortem examination.
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IF YOU CHECK OUT THE AMOUNT OF UNSOLVED MURDERS THAT HAPPENED IN THIS HOLY LAND AND THERE ARE STILL HYPOCRITES WHO WILL SWEAR THAT THEY NEVER HAPPENED / AND WILL RATHER SIT IN THE STREET TO PROMOTE RACISM AS A PUBLICITY STUNT
It is the senior magistrate /coroner who determines whether or not an autopsy should be performed. It is the Magistrate’s Office/Coroner’s office that brings in the pathologist from St. Lucia.
Thank you very much. People are always quick to point fingers. Many families had to go through the process and had to wait for him to arrive from St.Lucia…you don’t just click your fingers and have everything done one time
No its not a magistrate/coroner matter if he was in the hospital more than 24 hrs and died. that a hospital matter
So the cousin blaming the police, but when the reporter spoke to the police it was stated that BVIHS are in charge and NOT the police SMH…..People are always quick to blame the police. Oh, and if I remember correctly, we have to wait on the patholigist since we don’t have one here …..guess that’s the police fault again right?
She just looking fame. The thing is she don’t even live in the BVI. Talking s**t bur we have motorcycle accident everyday. I don’t know when last there was a motorcycle accident, but the last scooter accident that occurred was 2 weeks ago. By the time the forensic pathologist arrived in the BVI, that boy body will be dried out like a maneken.
The fact remains the family wants to find out what actually caused the death of their loved one. It is said that the motor bike is in tact and was not on the seen. Argument Done!
unsolved murder because the investigative process is derailed by BVI government red tape and incompetence. Scotland Yard where are YOU!
Tourists have to deal with this when there is a death. Why do we not have a pathologist, when there are so many other excess government employees?
Do you have an issue with the public service? You’re on here every ranting about the number of government employees. Go get a life!!
So, there’s NO Medical Examiner in Tortola?? Sounds like someone is trying to cover up something tragic here to me, so very sad for the family!
There is a so call Medical Pathologist at the hospital, but there’s no Forensic Pathologist inthr BVI. Know the difference before you come on here talking f*k!!
aint enough dead bodies in the bvi ye… this one guy perform his craft to many of our Caribbean islands…think is about time we gave money to send someone to school for this area
A forensic student completed studies and came here years ago but left because one was not hired .. not enough bodies to perform on to keep the job current
What foolishness .. work could have been found in the department to keep the person busy during off hours no vision
THAT WITH ALL THE ARISTOCRATS IN EVERYTHING , THAT THEY GOT HERE , AND NONE OF THEM CAN DO THAT KIND OF WORK ? I DIDN’T THINK AN ISLAND BOY AS THEY ARE CALLED WOULD HAVE TO COME AND PERFORM AN AUTOPSY/ IT SHOWS WE NEED TO EDUCATE OURSELVES AND CLEANSE OUR MINDS FROM CALLING DOWN OUR CARIBBEAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND LIVE LIKE HUMANS ? IN PEACE AND LOVE WITH EACHOTHER
It’s a crying shame and disgrace to have this young man’s body still lying in a morgue(funeral home). Those of you talking about the young lady looking fame and blah! blah! blah! Just pray you never have to be in a crisis as this Family. No matter what crap you’ll sprewing, she is making sense in asking why is it taking so long to have the Autopsy performed. Those folks who are in Charge are full of s**t. Let it had been their family member. Furthermore, an inquest needs to be carried out and those Officers( Medical/Police) that determined death was from injuries sustained from scooter accident, needs to be investigated. Call a Spade a Spade! THEY NEED TO STOP WITH THIS TWO FOOTING S**T IN THE BVI.
thank you. plus the bike was found and nothing is wrong with he bike. its like someone bust his head open and place him on the road. cause for it to call a bike accident a bike have to be on the sense. they was no bike found and weeks later it was found. something aint adding up. and the police needs to step up and find out.
Who killed Lois Mcmillen and Jason Bally