The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the cause of death of a local government official from Mayaguana who was found dead in a home in eastern New Providence on Saturday.

The deceased, identified as Mayaguana Chief Councillor Shandika Charlton, was in the capital for an awards banquet. She was married with one daughter.

According to police, Mrs Charlton’s lifeless body was discovered in the bathroom of a home at Benson and Crouch Close in Dan Nottage Estates shortly before 5pm.

Officer-in-Charge of the Central Detective Unit Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander said officials have not classified her death. At the crime scene, he told reporters that there was nothing to indicate foul play.

A police source said Mrs Charlton did not appear to have wounds on her body and that officers do not know how she died.

In a statement released yesterday, Financial Services and Local Government Minister Hope Strachan confirmed Mrs Charlton’s death.

The Sea Breeze MP said she and local government officials were “shocked and extremely saddened” to learn of the sudden passing of Mrs Charlton while she was on assignment in New Providence.

“I am, along with the local government family, grateful for her stellar contributions to local government in the island of Mayaguana by way of her hard work and sacrifice,” the statement read.

“On my own behalf and that of the permanent secretary, director of local government, Family Island administrators and all staff members of the Ministry of Financial Services and Local Government, I extend my sincerest condolences to her husband, Garvin Charlton; her daughter Deshontae McKinney; mother, Creacetha Moss and other members of her immediate family and her extended family. May her soul rest in peace.”

Less than 24 hours before the discovery of her body, Mrs Charlton was being honoured at the Local Government 20th Anniversary Awards Ceremony for her dedicated efforts toward the advancement of local government in the Bahamas.

Mrs Charlton has served on the District Council for the island of Mayaguana since 2005.

The circumstances surrounding the matter are still being investigated.

Anyone with information connected to this matter is asked to call police at 911/919 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS.