Deandrea Hamilton | Magnetic Media & Wilke Arthur | Eagle Legal News
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The victims of last week’s devastating carbon monoxide incident in South Dock have now been publicly identified, painting a heartbreaking picture of a family whose lives were cut short in their new home.
The deceased are believed to be Zatil Grebert, the male head of the household, and Lourdes Myr Monestime, identified as his wife. Also among the dead were the couple’s toddler child and a young woman said to be their niece and babysitter. While the names of the toddler and the niece were not immediately available, close friends of the family shared the photographs and information with media.
The tragedy unfolded on the afternoon of August 5, when police responded to Silverado Road after reports that residents inside the home were unresponsive. Officers arrived to find the property locked and secured, with no signs of movement. Through a window, they spotted the lifeless bodies of an adult male and the toddler.
With assistance from the Fire Department, entry was forced, revealing all four family members dead. Preliminary investigations suggest carbon monoxide poisoning, likely from a generator operating near the home, with fumes entering through a small breach in the wall or ventilation gap.
The incident has shaken the South Dock community and the wider Turks and Caicos Islands. Friends described the family as hardworking, community-oriented people who had recently settled into the home.
Health officials warn that carbon monoxide—often called the “silent killer”—is colorless, odorless, and lethal in enclosed spaces within minutes. Globally, accidental carbon monoxide poisoning claims an estimated 28,900 lives annually. Portable generators are a leading cause, and experts stress these safety measures:
- Never operate generators indoors, in garages, or close to windows and doors.
- Keep units at least 20 feet from living spaces with exhaust pointed away.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home, especially near sleeping areas.
- Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms like dizziness, headache, nausea, or confusion occur.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Dwight Gardiner has called the incident “a sobering reminder of the unseen dangers that can take lives in an instant.”
As the investigation continues, authorities say the case underscores the urgent need for public awareness and preventive action. For those mourning, the focus remains on remembering the lives lost and supporting the grieving community.
This is believed to be one of the most fatal single-household incidents in Turks and Caicos history—a tragedy that has left a neighborhood in shock and a nation reminded of how quickly joy can turn to grief.
