SOURCE: ANTIGUA OBSERVER- A family’s desperate quest for answers hangs in the balance as authorities say they are not yet investigating the death of 23-year-old Chinlee Robinson as a homicide, despite troubling autopsy findings.
Robinson died behind bars on January 24, just one day after he was granted bail. His family, still reeling from the sudden loss, now faces an even more painful reality — confusion over how their loved one died while in state custody.
“The not knowing is worse than anything,” said a family member. “How does someone die from neck trauma while in a prison cell?”
The post-mortem examination revealed Robinson died from anoxia, trauma to the neck, and cardiac failure.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifton Cabral stated they believe Robinson could have died of natural causes based on their interpretation of the pathologist’s report.
“We’re not really treating it as a homicide at this time,” Cabral explained. “When you look at it, it could be of a natural cause, rather than somebody administering it to him. So, we’re not really looking at it in its entirety as a homicide, but we’re not going to stop.”
This position has alarmed the family whose attorney, Wendel Alexander, has called for an immediate coroner’s inquest, and a homicide investigation.
Even Superintendent of Prisons Colonel Trevor Pennyfeather expressed his own concerns saying, “very possibly it’s strangulation”.
Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers assured that “the matter is under investigation” and that when completed, they “will determine from the investigation where that matter goes”.
Adding to the family’s distress, the pathologist reportedly warned them that police often fail to test samples collected during autopsies.
When questioned about this, police responded that testing would be done in a “reasonable time” as “several other samples connected to previous ongoing investigations are prepared to be sent abroad as was indicated.”
As days turn into weeks, Robinson’s family continues their painful wait for answers about what really happened to their loved one behind the walls of His Majesty’s Prison.
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“…authorities say they are NOT YET investigating the death of 23-year-old Chinlee Robinson as a homicide…”
keyword: NOT YET!
That family deserves answers. You can’t just brush this under the rug.
How does someone die in custody and it’s not treated seriously? Something’s off. Hmmmm
No matter what the person did, they were still someone’s child.
This is heartbreaking. Can’t imagine the pain the family must be feeling.
What is wrong with that place…. SMH
An autopsy and full investigation should be automatic in all cases.
What’s the point of laws and procedures if they’re ignored when it matters most?
The casual approach taken towards the death of this young man in prison leaves much to be desired. Clearly this young man’s death should have never happened. We need to do more to fix the prison system such that homicides like this do not happen within the walls of the prison system. If the young man was on remand, why wasn’t he placed in a cell with like detainees. Our prison system is deplorable, we all know that, but the prison management have a responsibility to secure and protect the lives of the detainees that comes under their care. The casual approach that we are taking towards this unfortunate death of this remand prisoner is both regrettable, dreadful, distressing and grievous. His family deserves answers and justice.
This country is doomed!
Bringing in your own lawer
Only in Antigua
Wait. This is a freaking joke or what?
Smh this is crazy, if this was my child trust and beleive id find the guzzu master
Wow this is just sad. Antigua and Barbuda is really not a real place.
It only those in the kitchen feels the hurt & pain.
When are going to get proper accountability at these public institutions? Atleast, the hospital, the prison & the police force owe the nation that much