By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie extended condolences to Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin after her ex-husband’s body was found in an abandoned building in eastern New Providence over the weekend.

Police made the discovery around 3pm on Saturday after receiving information about what appeared to be a suicide in an old building on Yamacraw Beach Road.

Leon Martin was found hanging from the ceiling with a rope tied around his neck.

Police said Sunday they were still unsure of the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Mr Martin was the accountant for more than 30 years at A D Hanna & Co, the law firm of Minister Hanna-Martin’s father, former governor-general AD Hanna.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Christie called Mrs Hanna-Martin “a strong lady” and said she is coping well under the circumstances.

“She would know how unkind politics can be by being involved in it and being of personal political importance and how people will speak on past events and so I think she is a really a very strong lady who is coping well who reflects a concern of the children and is otherwise very, very sad for it to have taken place,” he said.

“I indicated to her that those of us, her colleagues, will wrap our arms around her and give her all the supports that she needs in these circumstances.

“It’s always a very tragic event – and I say all of these things subject to whatever investigation is taking place – but whenever someone loses their life in tragic circumstances, it’s always a very difficult thing to accommodate and address.

“If that person had a long connection with you, as is the case with Mr Martin and Mrs Hanna-Martin, it is sad. In terms of the details of their relationship that’s a matter for them.”