The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

INVESTIGATORS are seeking the public’s help in finding out what could have led to the death of a man found yesterday in the elevator shaft of a West Bay Street hotel.

Police said the man who is believed to be homeless, was already decomposed when his body was discovered at the old Babalu Night Club, formerly the Mayfair Hotel opposite Junkanoo Beach. The hotel is currently undergoing renovations.

Family members at the scene identified him as Samuel Whiley. They said the victim was in his 40s. Inspector Chrislyn Skippings, police spokeswoman said foul play is not suspected at this time.

She said: “We are actively investigating this matter. As I indicated he was decomposed and so it is going to call for us to do some more scientific work as it relates to this particular incident. We suspect that the body may have been there for about five days.”

However, Samuel’s best friend, Lowell Huyler said he had been missing for more than a week. They both lived together for around three years, he said.

Mr Huyler said: “I kept going in the square where he normally hangs out and asking everybody if they see him and nobody ever coulda tell me. Come to find out this morning, we put the shaft down and there was Sammi. He really was a nice friend to me.

“We eat together and I’ll save food for him and we all drink together, but he never really like to eat he just like to sit down and drink, drink, drink.”

The victim’s sister-in-law, Tameka Huyler said Sammy was a good person.

“We are going to miss him. He was very quiet and stayed to himself,” she said.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the nearest police station.