SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2015 – SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2015
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VOLUME 11 - NO. 36
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SUICIDE POSSIBLE IN HOWELL’S DEATH by Vivian Tyson & Todeline Defralien
P
olice said there is a possibility that the sharp force wounds that killed Rev. Dr. Conrad Howell were selfinflicted. Speaking at a media conference at Police Headquarters, Providenciales on Friday, September 18th, Acting Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams said: “Based on our findings at the scene to date and the pathology report, together is that there is a strong possibility that the injures could, or might have been self inflicted.” Adams said an autopsy was conducted Wednesday, by a Bahamian pathologist, who identified certain wounds on 52-year-old Howell’s body. “The pathologist report has stated as cause of death ‘sharp force injuries to the upper and lower extremities’. Also as an opinion from the pathologist in her report, she has reported ‘52-year-old black male Rev. Conrad Howell died of sharp force injuries to the upper and lower extremities that cause injuries to blood vassals, which all contributed to blood loss and death . ‘The other injuries, including scratches and contusions, bruises in short were superficial without evidence of internal blunt trauma and occurred on or about the time of his death but did not contribute to his death. The injuries are consistent with reports of where and how Mr. Howell was found,” Adams told the news conference. He added: “I wish to also inform the public and you that are present here, that based on our investigator findings at the scene where Mr. Howell was found, certain evidence was collected that
The organizing committee for “In The Pink,” an annual fundraising event for the TCI Cancer Society met recently to unveil plans for the upcoming 7th Annual soiree to be held on Saturday, October 10th at The Palms Turks and Caicos. Pictured from front left: Karen Whitt, Folusa Ladejobi, Shanta Narinesingh , Rosemary Jolly Back left: Lisa Hall, Yadviga Dzieduszynska, Hazel Rush, MaryLou Vanderheide, Easher Parker, Honorable Josephine Connolly, Jenny Capili. supported the findings of the postmortem of the deceased. “And I wish to again extend our sympathies to the family of Dr. Conrad Howell friends and relatives.” According to the Acting Commissioner, they have ruled out murder based on their evidence so far, but they are still collecting evidence. Asked to clarify reports as to whether or not poison was found in Howell’s system, Adams said the toxicology report, which is not back yet, would make such determination. “What I can say is
that toxicology tests have been taken and those and those examinations would form part of our investigations going forward,” Adams said. The body of Dr. Howell, who at the time of his death was the host of the Radio Turks and Caicos talk show “Expressions”, and the People’s Television (PTV) show “On Your Mind”, was found in bushes off Horizontal Drive in the Blue Mountain area. Dr. Howell also served on the National Honors and Awards Committee, president and joint owner of the University College of
Providenciales, immediate Past President of the Providenciales Ministerial Fellowship and author of the National Song - “We Salute This Land of Ours”. Sometime Friday morning, September 11, 2015, Dr. Howell’s family members reported him missing, saying that he left the house late Thursday night for what should have been a brief period outside but did not return. It is understood that he went outside dressed in a singlet (merino), a black pants and socks. He made not calls to his family, and calls to his phone went unanswered. Once he did not return by certain time, persons began to become suspicious, saying it was out of character for him to be out of contact for so long without contacting anyone. As a result, family members and concern citizens initiated a search sometime Friday, and by the end of the day, information was sent out for persons to join a massive hunt planned for Saturday morning and spearheaded by Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing.
The search, comprising persons of all nationalities living in the Turks and Caicos Islands, started a little after 6a.m., with a number of areas scoured, including in the vicinity of his Blue Mountain house. Searches were also conducted in Five Cays, Long Bay, the Kew Town area and its environs including behind the Providenciales International Airport, and in the Blue Hills area. Oscar, national of the Dominic Republic, who later joined the hunt, was accompanied by his Potcake dog “Coco”, which found the body of the pastor and talk show host in bushes off Horizontal Road in the Richmond Hill area. Shortly after Dr. Howell’s body was found, tributes poured in from all walks of life, including from His Excellency Governor Peter Beckingham, Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing, who staged a news conference later that day and Leader of the Opposition Hon. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson.