Family scoffs at ‘coke’ death claim

“He was taken into Casualty (San Fernando General Hospital), covered in blood,” Forte said. Police authorities, the woman told Newsday, have not explained why Hope was stark naked at the time police took him to the hospital.

A media release from the office of the Commissioner of Police, stated that a search warrant was issued at Hope’s home on Betsy Street, Cocoyea Village, San Fernando, last week Thursday by police.

As a result of that search, the release stated, Hope and another man were arrested and taken to the San Fernando CID where they were charged with possession of narcotics. The commissioner’s release stated that while in the police cell, Hope suffered a seizure and was rushed to hospital where he died.

“Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul wishes to inform the public that an autopsy was performed by Dr Hughvon Des Vignes today at the Forensic Sciences Centre. The autopsy revealed that Brent Hope died from a drug overdose:toxic substance ingestion.”

But Forte argued yesterday that some persons who saw Hope’s body, identified larcerations on the forehead and back of the neck. “If he had a seizure, why was he covered in blood and why was he naked,” Forte asked.

The family’s suspicions about the death, the woman said, were confirmed when relatives requested their presence at the autopsy, but was turned down. “We asked to be there, and not even one of us the police allowed,” Forte said. A funeral service for Hope will be held today.