What Happened To Dinari McAlmont? Black Man Found Dead In The Bahamas, Family Suspects He Was Killed
On April 5, 23-year-old Black man Dinari McAlmont, a resident of Bowie, Maryland, was found dead while vacationing in the Bahamas. The authorities in the Bahamas reported that McAlmont’s death was caused by “drowning,” according to a medical examiner and that they have no reason to suspect foul play, but his family, who says they haven’t been allowed to view his body, believe McAlmont was killed, and they’re afraid any evidence that might prove it will be lost.
From People:
The relatives of Dinari McAlmont, including his mother and aunt, have turned to social media to ask for “international help,” as they claim they have not been allowed to view his body in the morgue following his death on April 5.
Marcelle Bacchus, Dinari’s aunt, wrote in a Facebook post on Friday, April 11, that his body was not released to the funeral parlor a day prior because the morgue misspelled his name.
“My sister is so frustrated. She has not seen her son as yet,” Bacchus wrote, adding that cameras were not allowed in the morgue and that Dinari’s family fears evidence will be lost.
“No cameras were allowed in the [morgue]. The police did not even share a picture publicly. No camera footage until now. We are afraid evidence will disappear,” she added, before calling on the public for assistance. “Please, we need some international help ASAP!”
In a statement released on April 9, the Royal Bahamas Police reported that McAlmont arrived in the Bahamas on Friday, April 4, with family members and was found “unresponsive” on a beach on Paradise Island just 12 hours later. The statement said results from an autopsy done by a pathologist revealed he died “as a result of drowning” and that “foul play is not suspected at this time.” Bahamas authorities also noted that they’re still awaiting the results of a “forensic toxicology analysis,” which would determine whether “drugs, alcohol and other toxins” may have played a role in his death, which isn’t likely to provide his family with any comfort since they appear to believe McAlmont’s case is being improperly handled so it can be swept under the rug.
More from People:
Dinari’s mother, Michelle McAlmont, claimed to Fox 5 DC and Eyewitness News Bahamas that her son had been “beaten” after local authorities showed her a photo of her deceased son for identification.
She added, “He was traumatized. His face is damaged. His teeth [had] a lot of froth. His hair that he normally takes so much pride in, he spent a lot of money on products. He takes a lot of pride in his hair — full of sand.”
McAlmont and his parents arrived together on April 4 at the Atlantis resort in Nassau, Bahamas, where they were booked for a weekend trip from that Friday through April 7. His parents reported that they had dinner together the night they arrived and that after dinner, their son left to explore the resort on his own. McAlmont’s parents said they didn’t think anything was wrong until hours later, when members of the resort’s staff came to their room to ask about his whereabouts, which is when they noticed his location-sharing service was inactive.
His parents reportedly searched the property for their son and filed a missing persons report when they were unable to find him. The next day, they received the worst news a parent can receive: their son was dead.
According to Eyewitness News Bahamas, at about 1 a.m., McAlmont’s parents were contacted by police about a report that he allegedly “had spat” at someone, though the details on that were unclear, as is whether the alleged incident played a role in his death.
The Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas Resort released the following statement, per People:
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our guests. Our thoughts and condolences are with the guest’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. This is an active police investigation, and we are fully cooperating.”
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