Dangriga Assault Death Ruled Homicide as Family Seeks Answers

The fatal assault on 41-year-old Linden Kelly in Dangriga has officially been ruled a homicide, following the completion of a post-mortem examination.  Tonight, however, the family feels the police department is dragging their feet with the investigation. The family confirmed that the examination determined that Kelly died from multiple chop wounds to the head, sustained during a violent altercation in the Rivas Estate area on December 19. Kelly initially survived the attack but later succumbed to those injuries at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City. Despite the homicide ruling, Kelly’s family says that no one has been detained or charged in connection with his murder, a development they say has deepened their grief and frustration. Today, Kelly’s brother, Austin Williams, spoke with Love News about the post-mortem results and what the family describes as a lack of support and urgency from police investigators.

Austin Williams, Brother of Deceased: “The post mortem results we got three chop wounds to the head and a blow and marks of homicide so of course it is murder. Well we got to understand that no-one has been charged as yet because like I said earlier the police are waiting for something from the DPP and I don’t know how long that process is and they’re making it seem like it’s okay to do murder in Dangriga you know ?”

Williams says the family was particularly distressed after Kelly’s mother spoke to the Dangriga Police and was reportedly told that officers could not proceed further as they are awaiting guidance from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. He says that explanation offers little comfort, especially given the brutal nature of the killing, which the family says involved three chop wounds to the head, before Kelly was left for dead. In a direct message to law enforcement, Williams is now appealing to the police department to intensify efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

Austin Williams, Brother of Deceased: “One message I would like to say to the police, I mean come on we’re all getting paid in this country to do what we need to do but just do your jobs. Let justice prevail. The police are the people who is in charge of that aspect of it so do what needs to be done.”

Police say investigations remain ongoing. As of this evening, no arrests have been made in connection to Kelly’s death.