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Family still waiting for burial
Give us closure: From left, Canute Forbes, Juan Gill-Forbes, widow Hetta Gill and her grandson Nicholas Gill looking at a photo of deceased Clyde Gill. (Picture by Nigel Browne.)
Published on: 10/29/2009.
by PHILLIPPE AIMEY
FRUSTRATION has been added to the grief of a St Michael family that had to postpone the funeral of a loved one on two occasions and may have to again.
The Gill family is mourning the death of their patriarch Clyde Gill who went missing on October 13 at Martin's Bay, St John and was found dead on the shore of Congor Bay, St Philip on October 16.
"We have been waiting on this autopsy for about two weeks and every day they are telling us it is postponed and because of that, we have not been able to bury our father and it is frustrating without any real understanding as to why this is happening," Gill's daughter Juan Gill-Forbes said.
The family is hoping that an autopsy would be done today so that burial can take place on Saturday.
An autopsy, ordered by the coroner, was originally scheduled for October 20, but was postponed to October 27 (Tuesday) and is now set for today.
Eleven members of the Gill family arrived from the United States for the funeral, originally scheduled for last Saturday, October 24, but have all had to rebook their tickets.
"We've already spent money to extend our tickets and some of us work and go to university full time so it is frustrating. There are other family members who wanted to come initially and we prevented them from coming to avoid this. I don't think I can tell my professors I took time to go to a funeral that never happened," Gill-Forbes' husband Canute said.
A source close to the matter told Daily Nation the problem was directly related to the current vacancy for a qualified forensic pathologist along with outstanding payments due to Pathologist, Dr Stephen Jones for autopsies and assessments previously conducted.
When contacted Jones refused comment .
Recently, Coroner Faith Marshall-Harris spoke of the urgency with which she wanted to see a forensic pathologist placed on the island.
Swedish forensic pathologist Dr Carl Winskog who took up the job in February 2007 quit the post last December.
Since then, all autopsies in criminal cases and coroner's inquests have been provided by Jones.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) though not responsible for the matter issued a statement.
"The QEH sympathises with the family of Mr Gill but given the events leading to his death, it was placed under the jurisdiction of a coroner's case (under the Coroner's Act), all enquiries should be directed to the Attorney-General's office. It should also be noted that Mr Gill was taken straight to Two Sons Funeral Home following the discovery of his death," the statement said.
33 comment found!
: 11/5/2009
I wish somebody would speak up and say why the last government tried to squeeze out De Jones to bring in a foreigner. Dr Jones I am glad you behaved like a gentleman and thanks for doing the autopsy so that the Gills could bury their relative and heal and for showing you have a heart. One day God would come for his world and all Politics and yardfowlism would be over.
Let him RIP : 11/5/2009
I thought that the late Mr. Gill was buried last Saturday, so why is this discussion continuing as though he is yet to be buried, or I am missing something? this must be very distressing for his family, let him rest in peace.
Ignorance : 11/4/2009
I really hate the term typical, and phrases like 'that is to be expected'! I wish to take this time to extend my sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased! Now to the meat of the matter, Why are people blaming gov't? The QEH is a statutory corporation, so blame the Hospital board not gov't. And Barbadians are not lazy or laid back, this crap about pulling down a country for one incident is ridiculous! And if the blame was the gov't, how is ours any different from those of other countries? Size does not equate to better! I agree with the comment that there should be more than one, but at the end of the day, we need to stop pulling down our country and working to help make it better!
Barbados snail service : 11/3/2009
Don’t blame the present Government, these things have been happening in Barbados for a long time. There is more freedom of the press under the DLP so we are reading what would not be written under A BLP administration. Many Barbadian Civil Servants are very rude and insensitive. They still have an inferiority vs. superiority complex when it comes to dealing with their own nationals vs. a tourist. May Mr. Gill soul rest In peace.
: 11/3/2009
This is how I feel. Many will not agree with me and I really couldn't care less. An autopsy should be performed AT THE REQUEST OF THE FAMILY. What events led to his death? Missing at one beach, found at another...DROWNED!! People in authority are always trying to stretch stuff. Nit picking to see if he was murdered and then what? A gazillion years later the case would still be pending. Release the body and let the family bury him PLEASE!!!!!! This is one of the FEW things I can't stand about Barbados.
Family still waiting for burial : 11/3/2009
My sympathies to the Gill family. To the authorities delaying this burial..WAKE UP!!! Another example of the slack, 'relaxed' attitiude that is hindering progress in this country!
Jusk asking why? : 11/2/2009
Why has Dr Winskog quit already? Is Dr Jones not performing because he has not been paid and if so why hasn't he been paid? I thought that post mortems were to be conducted at the Forensic Laboratory,are they now back at the QEH? Retired
BLAMING THE DEAD : 11/2/2009
"An autopsy, ordered by the coroner, was originally scheduled for October 20." "Eleven members of the Gill family arrived from the United States(presumably before October 24, 2009) for the funeral,- originally scheduled for last Saturday, October 24." In light of the foregoing, how did this family "jump the gun" in planning for Mr. Gill's funeral? In order to accomodate the work and school schedules of the many relatives coming from overseas, it seems that the burial date set for October 24, 2009 in reliance on the originally scheduled autopsy date of October 20, 2009 was indeed quite reasonable. It seems to me that the real issue here is the apparent dispute between the relevant authorities and the Coroner's office. The Gill family were innocent victims of this dispute. Thanks to the noble deed of Dr. Jones, they were not further victimized.
TO DR. STEPHEN JONES: : 11/2/2009
The true character of a man is often shown in time of crisis....thanks for being a good man.
Waiting for burial : 11/2/2009
How can someone arrange for a burial without a body? I think that the family jumped the gun, don't they need clearance from the Coroner before the funeral home can claim the body? This is not New York where an autopsy is done within 24 hours. The patholigists there work really hard, sometimes they perform up to 10 autopsies per day that is for one pathologist.
To The Gill Family : 11/1/2009
It is indeed laudable the dignity and class exhibited by the Gill family in their time of bereavement. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.
: 10/31/2009
The laid back attitude is eroding the system. Bajns need to wake up and get moving. Too many deficits in such a small nation. All the education there needs to be put to work. The unqualifieds need to be out. I am getting quite discouraged at what I see coming out of Barbados lately.
shameful : 10/30/2009
instead of the Barbados goverment do the things that are essential to the country, they are worrying about guyanese.my sympathy goes to the Gill family.
: 10/30/2009
This situation is disgraceful the island should have 2 forensic pathologists so much time is spent on pleasing the tourist but please remember the folks at home also the go slow attitude has to change especially if Barbados wants to be on par with other countries I wonder if this was a tourist who died and an autopsy had to be done so that the family abroad could clim the body would they be such a delay.
Sorry : 10/30/2009
Heartfelt Sympathy to the Gil family. However, I agree with C. Focus, funeral arrangements should not have been made until the body was released. Until such time, those family members traveling should not have made arrangements to attend the funeral.
Another example of lack of service! : 10/30/2009
Typical, really should we be surprised! Some Bajans are just so lackluster in regards to everything they do, and they don't care about anyone else but themselves. This poor family, already grieving and needing closure can't get their loved one buried because of what?? Was their suddenly an influx of deceased that need autopsies?? What is the delay for? This is incredible. I did note in the article that QEH is trying to deflect blame onto Two Sons Funeral Home by "noting" to the public where his body went. Doesn't surprise me though, my prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Gill.
: 10/30/2009
Typical..
: 10/30/2009
Every day the stories get funny and funnier coming out of Barbados in the Nation. No compassion coming out of Barbados. There is no sense of urgency in Barbados. The government in Barbados seem worst now than when Owen Arthur was in power. I am a rank DLP person but the way this government is operating is leaving a lot to be desired. This man's family left their jobs to come and bury their love one and because Barbados cannot get someone to do an autopsy they are puting these people in jeopardy. These people have their jobs to come back to, spending monies they may not have. Please Barbados get your act together. This is outrageous. To have one medical examiner on the Island is as asinine. It is like having no where to bury the dead. What is the government going to do hold the body indefinitely? The medical examiner quit this position since last December and the government cannot find someone to replace him. What a shame. My sincere prayers and heartfelt sympathy go out this family. The government should be made to reimburse this family for all the suffering and extra monies their have to dish out due to no fault of their own. Goddess45PU2
Bajans "Please Dont Change". : 10/30/2009
I am a barbadian living in the united states and also visited jamaica on numerous occasions .This is something in jamaica that happen a lot , people die one week and five weekes after that they are getting buried one pathologist in big Jamaica but this is Barbados alway better off this should have been done long time but Bajan now think qoute on quote " I do think in my time and to suit me ,so if you can wait that is you business". this is de attitude ya get when ya go to barbados .I wish my little island would not get slack, we are consided to be highly to be the most educated people in the West Indies.
Business as Usual. : 10/29/2009
A few weeks ago it was said that Barbados is no hurry to get a Forensenic Pathologist and I call a friend and we had a discussion on the short sightedness of the people who have to make important decisions in Barbados.This is the third time that I`m commenting on the urgent need for a qualified Forensenic Pathologist. Can you imagine your love one is missing and found dead sometime after and they send Two Sons funeral van drivers for the body and no qualified person to see the body before it is removed. I don`t remember the name of the lady, I think she should apologise to the people of Barbados for making such a stupid statement for the world to think that we are not so smart.Glad to read that the Gill family will be able to have their love one laid to rest and get on with their lives.
Waiting for burial : 10/29/2009
To the gill family... our heart and prayers are with you at this time.
My sympathy to this family! : 10/29/2009
This is typical of Barbados... a lack of urgency to get most things done. In the USA a passport can be had in a few hours, in Barbados it is a few weeks of work! Don"t go to most government offices as you are better off being sentenced to some time at Dodds..at least you know when you will get out. I do sympathize with this family as their grief is unnecessarily prolonged. In the city of Philadelphia where I have lived for a number of years I have seen the Medical examiner receive a body in the evening and promptly perform the autopsy next day. It is a shame some of the better practices of US society are not copied and there is always a rush to embrace the negative and undesirable that is seen so often in the media. Unfortunately many Bajans just seem to think life is all about some socca music and "wukking up" in July and August. Bajan In Philly!
Shamefull : 10/29/2009
I can not believe that this is happening in my little Island Barbados, I know the family in the USA, and I'm deeply sadden about all this, it is disgraceful to all of us here in the states, we consider Barbados to be one of the top Islands to live. Now can we say that we can come back home to live?
Progress Made : 10/29/2009
I am pleased to report that the autopsy was performed on my Father's body today. The family would like to thank all everyone for their support and a very special thanks to Dr. Stephen Jones. The funeral will be held 9:30am on Saturday at St. John Parish Church.
Progress Made : 10/29/2009
I am pleased to report that the autopsy was performed on my Fathers body today. The family would like to thank everyone for their support and a very special thanks goes to Dr. Stephen Jones. The Funeral will be held at St. John's Parish Church at 9:30am this Saturday.
My thoughts are with you! : 10/29/2009
Sorry to hear about the delay but it sounds like it will finally be done. It is in the news now and hopefully it will help. My prayers are with you and hang in there.
Family still waiting : 10/29/2009
I would think that first they would check for physical trauma to the body, release it to the family after all of the internal organs and such are removed, which can be kept and inspected months after the funeral is done. Why was the body taken to a funeral home first??? then the coroner? never heard of that. It is a shame...but this is what goes on in Barbados constantly, it seems like no one cares. My heart goes out to the family and I pray that this can be resolved soon.
Family still waiting : 10/29/2009
Are they going to cremate the body? Why not Examine the body take the necessary organs and release the body to the family. Bodies have been exhumed for closer examination in the past.
Sorry : 10/29/2009
Sorry to hear about your loss and frustrations. However, until the body has been released to the family, burial arrangements should not have been made. It's unfortunate that the current issues with the coroner have not been resolved.
Life drags on : 10/29/2009
My deepest sympathy to the Gill's family; dealing with the loss of a loved one is traumatic in itself and then this. Life in Barbados drags on very slowly at times and certainly causes a lot of misery for those who are caught up. The Welfare Department was out of action, result? misery for those depending on that service. Vacancies in the Health service, vacancies in the police service, slow action in the legal and judicial services, and in Town and Country Plannning; it all amounts to misery for those unfortunate people caught up in doing business with these Departments. No let up for us poor bajans.DOES ANYONE REALLY CARE?
Feeling your Pain : 10/29/2009
I thought by now, Barbados would have they own FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST on the Island. Fourteen years ago, I experienced that when my dad died at home. I was in university we waited for 2 weeks because the Pathologist was coming from Trinidad. I had to returned to Canada without see my dad buried. Because I couldnt wait a third week because I had do my exmas. To this day, I am still devastated, so I know the pain. SHAME ON BIM.. CB
My sympathy is with you!!! : 10/29/2009
I am very sorry for the lost of your loved one. My heart and prayers are with you.Hold on tight.
: 10/29/2009
what a shame
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