Inquest into death of AUA student to be held today; but post-mortem still required before body can be released to relatives

8
kenneth matthew

The coroner’s inquest into the death of American University of Antigua (AUA) student Kenneth Matthew is being undertaken today, November 7.

A source says the coroner, Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh, and a small jury panel are expected to view the body at the funeral home.

It is also hoped that a post-mortem examination will take place later today, since Matthew’s family has asked for the process to be expedited to facilitate the body being flown back to Qatar for burial.

A source says that Matthew’s father and uncle, who are currently on island, paid a visit to the coroner to make this request.

Reportedly, the men were assured that the inquest would be undertaken quickly. However, based on the law, a post-mortem will have to be conducted to determine the exact cause of Matthew’s death before a death certificate is issued and the body is released.

Matthew, who was struck by a car two Sundays ago, succumbed to his injuries in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre last Wednesday, November 2, at 10:40 a.m.

The man alleged to be responsible for the accident, Karim “Ice Cream” Edwards, is currently on bail on a charge of dangerous driving.

The Police are yet to upgrade the charge to causing death by dangerous driving; however, this might be dependent on the results of the post-mortem examination.

Still hospitalized is Matthew’s female colleague, 19-year-old Priyanjana Das, who lost an arm as a result of the accident, but is otherwise expected to make a full recovery.

SOURCE: REAL News

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]

8 COMMENTS

  1. Arrest the driver and stop the dithering and dallying.

    Can you imagine if the victim was a cabinet member, or a politicians son who lost his life in the same circumstance, Karim Edwards would have been arrested, charged and no bail given.

    NO IFS, NO BUTS AND NO MAYBES …

  2. What kind of country do we live in? What is an inquest needed for? He was struck by a motor vehicle driven dangerously by an Antiguan citizen. He was a visitor who trusted our country to be a safe place to complete his education. This is how Antigua ends up looking incompetent and corrupt in international circles. What the number of students enrolling in AUA drop because of this and how that will affect the overpriced rental market.

  3. Antigua first u talking rubbish, were u there to say he was driving dangerously? How u know exactly what happened? Everyone is blaming the driver, let the driver tell his side of the accident. The young lady on recovery will say on recovery how it happened. Stop rushing to judgment. WAIT

    • As if they driver is going to say he was driving dangerously. The fact that he left the scene is suspect that he was driving dangerously. If a
      PROPER forensic investigation was/is done, it could determine how fast he was driving — However, I wouldn’t hold my breath about that happening in Antigua.

    • The driver was speeding and did drive away ! He was already charged with dangerous driving for a reason. So yes you can blame the driver…

Comments are closed.