by Linda Straker
- Franklyn was opposition senator appointed by Dr Keith Mitchell
- Death is yet to be ruled as homicide, suicide or accidental
- Christopher Nelson, DPP, is leading investigation
Assistant Commissioner of Police Vannie Curwen said that the death of former senator Neilon Franklyn last August is yet to be ruled as a homicide, suicide or accidental, because the investigation is ongoing. Franklyn was buried in September.
Describing the situation as very complex, ACP Curwen, speaking at the end-of-year police news conference on Wednesday, 24 December, said the police are relying on assistance from regional laboratories. “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,” he said, providing an update.
Disclosing that Christopher Nelson, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), is leading the investigation into Franklyn’s death, Curwen said that there is no secrecy about the matter; it is just professionalism. “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 a final decision when all of the results are in. It is still being investigated,” he added. “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.
Neilon Franklyn was an opposition senator appointed by former Opposition Leader Dr Keith Mitchell. Franklyn resigned in September 2024 and returned to his post as a customs officer shortly after leaving the parliamentary position. He died at The General Hospital after collapsing at his home following a night of socialising.