Mystery bones may be city murder victim
When first discovered on February fourteenth speculation on the identity of a set of bones found near Gracie Rock ranged far and wide. But tonight a growing body of evidence suggests that the remains are those of a Belize City man, who may be one more victim of drug related violence. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods has been busy putting together the pieces of the mystery.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
The Hattieville police and chief pathologist Doctor Mario Estradabran are trying to determine the identity of the human remains found off a dirt road by mile twenty-three on the Western Highway. Besides the skull and other skeletal bones, the police also recovered from the scene a mass of dreadlocks, a metal buckle, a pair of white Reebok tennis shoes, along with pieces of clothing, a green lighter and what appears to be a crack pipe…all believed to belong to the deceased. Inside the sneakers police found a quanity of small bones. Both the lighter and pipe along with a broken red crayon were found inside part of the clothing believed to be pockets from a short pants. Two of the most disturbing discoveries were a length of rope found tied onto the mass of hair and attached to a piece of the stained clothing. The skull also displayed what appeared to be fractures to the left side and eye socket. Although the findings are troubling and suggest the person may have been the victim of a murder authorities say they will have to wait until they secure additional information and results of the post mortem. According to the office in charge of the Hattieville Police Station, Sergeant Chris Noble, the investigation is about justice and helping the deceased family to move on
Sgt. Chris Noble B O.C Hattieville Police Station
?It is sad that we have to go through it this way with them but our aim is to bring some satisfaction or some kind of closure to at least one of the many cases we?ve had countrywide.?
One report the police have been investigating is the disappearance of Egbert Medwood believed to be in his early forties. Alva Medwood says the last time she saw her brother was in late November. Medwood, who took up residence in the upper flat of this abandoned two storey house on Central American Boulevard, has not been seen since.
Alva Medwood, Sister of Missing Brother
?The last time I saw him was in November coming onto December and the last time I saw him he was in pain. He told me that he fly out of a vehicle and I told him, where were you and he said he was in the hospital for two days. I said but you are acting as if you do not have somebody. Why didn?t you call somebody? He said ay me sister, ay me sister I am in pain and I just want to sit down. So I told him to sit down and relax and he asked me for a dollar and he told me he was going home. I gave him the dollar and something to eat too and he leave.?
Although the remains have not yet been positively identified, Alva says based on information she has received on the human remains, the description closely matches that of her brother and she believes it?s him.
Dr. Mario Estradabran, Chief Police Pathologist
?The approximate height is between six feet to six feet and two inches. It also has the characteristics of a male individual, male sex with a skull characteristic of a Creole descent or African descent.?
Alva says Egbert also wore dreadlocks and had a drug problem. She also strongly suspects he was killed.
Alva Medwood
?With everything the police tell me I would a say that that?s is my brother because the type of things what the police tell me, with the hair and the crack in his pocket, he is like that and from that time we have not seen him up to now. All what you hear are rumours all over the place but nobody can come up with what we want to know.?
Medwood says shortly after they could not find her brother someone told her that he had been killed. She was told that around the same time he went missing Egbert was seen held at gun point and put into a vehicle that is believed to be from the Hattieville area. Medwood says the last time she spoke with her brother she did not believe his story that he had been injured in an accident and felt he was keeping something from her.
Alva Medwood
?According to what I heard, he was somewhere around Vernon Street Area and it?s from that area they suppose to pick him up but they don?t want to say. They picked him up right from Vernon Street just that people, who saw, do not want to talkYyou have to be careful today day.?
Dr. Estradabran says the examination will take several weeks to conclude. However from what he has observed there is a clear indication that the person was tied up.
Dr. Mario Estradabran
?According to the preliminary investigation and according to my opinion that rope was tied up between the head specifically the hairs up to the trunk of the body understanding by the trunk of the body, understanding by trunk of the body, through the chest area and abdominal and up to the waist.?
?At this particular moment it is almost impossible to say if the rope has anything to do with the cause of death.?
Jacqueline Woods
?Is there any evidence to suggest that the individual may have been burned alive??
Dr. Mario Estradabran
?No because I did not observe any signs of suit or black colorations on the surfaces of the bones.?
Alva Medwood
?I am asking the public if they know anything about Egbert Medwood junior to please come forward and say something because I am worried about him. He is my only brother.?
Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
Many of Egbert Medwood’s belongings still remain at his abandoned residence on Central American Boulevard.
