ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – The Grenada police on Wednesday said that the death of former legislator, Neilon Franklyn, is yet to be ruled as a homicide, suicide, or accidental because investigations are still going on.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Vannie Curwen, told a news conference that the local police are also relying on assistance from their regional counterparts in the senator’s death that occurred on August 24 this year.
“I do not want to speak specifically on Neilon’s matter except to say this matter is still under investigation, it is a matter that we have been assisted with both locally and regionally in terms of some of the labs that we have been working with, it’s a very complex matter,” Curwen told reporters.
Franklyn, 28, was appointed an opposition senator following the 2022 general election, resigning two years later and returning to his post as a Customs Officer. He died at the General Hospital after collapsing at his home following a night of socialising. Franklyn was buried on September 23.
Curwen said that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Christopher Nelson, is leading the investigations into Franklyn’s death.
“Our Director of Public Prosecution is leading that investigation; he is directing that investigation, and at some point, when he feels comfortable that he has all that he needs, he will address the nation, putting that information out.
“At some point, we will be able to provide some final decision when all of the results are in,” Curwen said, adding, “It is not proper for us to be speaking about a matter that is currently being investigated that has all of the tributaries that you are hearing about.
“We want to ensure that when we speak, we speak with definitive answers, the data, the result, the testing, the lab, the investigation, to back what we are saying,” Curwen said.
There has been speculation that the former legislator died after being poisoned, with the former prime minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, who had appointed Franklyn as an opposition senator, calling for an independent probe into the death.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Neilon Franklyn, a young man of immense promise whom I had the privilege of appointing to the Senate and welcoming into the New National Party. Neilon was not only a colleague but also part of my extended family circle, and his loss is felt profoundly.
“I call on the Government of Grenada to immediately commission a thorough and independent investigation conducted by a credible agency outside of our jurisdiction so that the circumstances of this tragedy can be fully uncovered.
“The people of Grenada, and Neilon’s grieving family, deserve nothing less than swift and transparent justice. Those responsible for this act must be held accountable,” Mitchell said.
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