PHOTO: Justice Min. Cllr. Frank Musa Dean
News Public Trust intends to publish the entire text of the report from the autopsies as soon as
it is available to us. But in the meantime due to some technical problem, we publish the following report from the Liberian News Agency.
By Dudu M. Kamara & P Vangerline Kpoto
MONROVIA (LINA) –The Government of Liberia has released autopsy reports of the four professional Liberians who died recently in Monrovia under unknown circumstances that prompted investigation.
According to the Autopsy Reports; all four of the professional Liberians died unnaturally through accidents, where both Albert Peters and Gifty Lama died from ‘Carbon Monoxide poisoning exacerbated by Gasoline/Hydrocarbon Fume’ while Emmanuel Barten Nyeswa died of massive hemorrhage, multiple bony and soft tissue injuries and blunt injuries consistent with fall from height.
The report also disclosed that George Fahnboto died as a result of ‘right frontal cerebral contusion and disruption of brain, with hemorrhages; right frontal complex depressed comminuted fracture caused by vehicle in head on collision and side impact with house; and road traffic accident.
The report emphasized that there was no foul play in the deaths of the four Liberians, citing “In our professional and expert opinion, based on the available evidence, the manner of death is unnatural (accidental).”
It can be recalled that Albert Peters and Gifty Lama both in the employ of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) were found dead in a blue 2001 TOYOTA Highlander Jeep in the early morning hours of Friday, October 1, 2020, while Emmanuel Barten Nyeswa was found dead in his 72nd residence and George Fahnboto died in a fatal motor accident after he ran into a speed breaker in the Roland Duo curve, in 72nd Community.
Speaking Tuesday at a press conference held at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) Justice Minister, and Attorney General of the Republic of Liberia, Frank Musa Dean furthered that the deaths of Albert Peters and Gifty Lama was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning exacerbated by gasoline hydrocarbon fumes, fumes from defective car exhaust system and defect in the floor of the car.
Also, Minister Dean disclosed that the Computer Tomography (CT) scan from post mortem evaluation shows mild purification of the brain and mild autolysis of the soft tissue, adding that there is no fracture or dislocation, no metallic density of foreign body of both Peters and Lama.
The Attorney General quoted the report as saying “The following samples were taken for full toxicology, alcohol, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, common poisons, drugs and heavy metal”.
Findings from the autopsy report indicated that blood alcohol was not detected, blood carbon monoxide was positive, hydrocarbon positive, liver common poisons/drugs not detected, as well as gastric content common poison drugs and kidney heavy metals not detected.
However, the pathologists conclude that although there was no foul play in the death of Emmanuel Barten Nyeswa as per pathological review but recommended further Police investigation relative to classifying the manner of his unnatural death as to whether it accidental, homicidal, or suicidal.
Dean noted that all of the autopsies were performed and the reports were prepared and signed by Dr. Benedict B. Kolee and Dr. Zoeborn B. Kparteh – pathologists.
“The autopsies were also observed by representatives from WIPNET, News Public , Justice forum Liberia, Red Power 100.3, the News, Inquirer, FEJAL, LNP, Ministry of Justice, the Coronar, as well as the independent national commission on human rights, inter-religious council and the family” Dean said.