Wilkie Arthur
Eagle Legal News
Monday April 14, 2025 – Turks and Caicos – The family of Denroy Forbes is calling for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death after preliminary findings from an autopsy revealed that he possibly drowned in sewage water.
It is a death case which has drawn outrage from the Family because events following the discovery of Forbes, who had initially been reported as missing, forced the family to rush burial with critical questions unanswered.
The case, which has garnered public attention, was brought before the Coroner’s Court on Tuesday April 1st 2025, for an emergency hearing at around 5pm. The family retained legal representative, Mr. Oliver Smith, KC. who is actively engaged in finding the truth as it relates to Denroy’s death.
Forbes’ body was discovered on the afternoon of Sunday, March 30, in the afternoon. The family asserts that no real action was taken by authorities besides limited inquiries on Monday, March 31st and the autopsy was conducted on Tuesday.
Eagle Legal News was told by a family member that according to the attending pathologist, the cause of death was consistent with drowning. Immediately, police ruled out foul play based on the autopsy’s findings.
However, the family of the deceased expressed dissatisfaction with the conclusion and reached out to attorney Oliver Smith, KC, who will represent the family’s side before the Coroner’s Court.
The family believes that Forbes’ death may have involved suspicious circumstances and has urged authorities to launch a comprehensive, full-scale investigation for their loved one.
One key concern raised during court proceedings was the state of decomposition of Forbes’ body, which hindered the pathologist’s ability to determine whether there were any visible injuries or trauma, such as abrasions or blunt force trauma, that could suggest he had been incapacitated before being submerged. The possibility of a homicidal drowning was not ruled out by the pathologist, although he was unable to make a definitive finding due to the condition of the remains.
Adding urgency to the matter, the morgue facility has reportedly requested an emergency burial due to inadequate storage conditions and the deteriorating state of the body.
It was explained that officials at the morgue cited issues with proper maintenance and the facility’s inability to preserve bodies in such a decomposed state. The family had considered engaging an independent forensic pathologist to conduct a secondary autopsy, but the condition of the body may now prevent that from happening.
Denroy had to be buried as a matter of urgency.
He was laid to rest in Five Cays on Saturday afternoon, April 12, 2025.
The family remains firm in their belief that Denroy Forbes’ death was not accidental and they are calling for greater transparency from law enforcement and for an in-depth inquiry into this case.
Eagle Legal News had cause to visit the scene or location where Denroy’s body was found behind the 2005 building, and we spoke to one of the owners, who indicated that he is cooperating fully with the police investigation.
He told us Denroy would frequent his establishment. He said even earlier that week, around Monday or so, he had to call the police for Denroy because he was causing disturbances. He said when the police arrived, Denroy ran and jumped a wall in the back, laughing at the officers. The property owner also said ‘police don’t usually take him seriously because they knew of his mental health challenges.’
Now, even he is concerned e and wonders what really happened to the young man.
Police have been provided the CCTV footage by this owner; it covers the days leading up to the discovery of the body.
He offered the family sincere condolences and prayed they would find out the truth about Denroy Forbes’ death.
