By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THE death of a man suspected of committing suicide a year ago was in fact murder, a Coroner’s Court jury ruled on Friday.

The news was welcomed by the family of Evan Fox, who was found with shotgun wounds in western New Providence last year.

Widow Jasmine called for the police to launch an inquiry. “I feel lost and confused and hurt,” Ms Fox said. “I’m glad I know the truth, ‘cause I was trying to process the fact that it was a suicide. I know my husband. If he did do that to himself, he would have said something. He would’ve left a note or said something he’s not that type of person. But the fact that I had no communication with him whatsoever. So with this I know it wasn’t him, like someone took him away.”

Speaking to The Tribune hours after a five member jury returned a homicide finding following less than 30 minutes of deliberation, Mr Fox’s mother Michelle Green said she “always knew” her son had not killed himself.

Mr Fox’s decomposing body was found inside his blue Dodge Ram truck in a bushy area off Frank Watson Boulevard on April 29, 2024 — two days after he was reported missing. A shotgun was found near the vehicle.

The jury reached its conclusion after hearing evidence that it was “unlikely” Mr Fox shot himself, despite the case initially being classified as a suicide.

Inspector Henrington Curry, a firearms expert, said it was ‘unlikely’ the victim shot himself with the shotgun. The shooter was at least 10ft away from the victim, according to the evidence he observed.

Mr Fox’s mother said she was grateful for the outcome. She admitted that while she always believed her son had not taken his own life, the ruling reopened emotional wounds.

Mr Fox’s widow said she had long been sceptical about the circumstances of his death, noting that the bushes where her husband’s truck was found have since been burned down. She previously testified that the last time she saw her husband was on the morning of April 26 at their home. Concerned after not hearing from him for 24 hours, she reported him missing on April 27.

The following day, relatives searched areas in western New Providence. Police also deployed drones and K-9 units to assist in the search.

On April 29, the family was notified that his body had been found.

Adrian Farrington, Mr Fox’s father, said during testimony his son showed no signs of depression or suicidal thoughts in the days leading up to his death, calling the incident “completely out of character.”

He insisted Evan had never shown signs of emotional distress, nor did he believe his son was capable of harming himself.

“My son was always a happy person,” he said. “He was well-liked by his peers and family alike.”

Fox’s death stunned relatives and friends, many of whom have continued to question the circumstances surrounding his final days.

Sgt 2835 Deveaux of the K-9 Unit testified that a police dog named Spartacus showed signs suggesting more than one person may have been in the vicinity where Mr Fox’s body was discovered. However, no other person was found at the scene.

Police Constable Michael Dorsett read Corporal Pratt’s drone report into evidence, saying that at 10am on April 29, authorities were notified of the missing person and began an aerial search in the Clifton Pier and Coral Harbour Road areas. The drone later located Mr Fox’s vehicle off a dirt road near Frank Watson Boulevard. Aerial drone footage was played in court.

Dr Caryn Sands, a pathologist, said the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the chest. Dr Sands said the shotgun pellets entered from the front of his chest and exited through his back. She added that the pellets tore through the victim’s heart.

Dr Sands said she retrieved three shotgun pellets from the deceased’s body and that the shotgun made no contact with the victim’s skin. She told the jury that due to the rate of decomposition, the deceased had been dead for at least a day and a half before his body was found. This meant the victim died early on Sunday morning, the day before his body was found.

Inspector Curry said the shotgun found was functional, he said a casing was initially lodged in it that would make it incapable of firing.

Maxwell Glinton, a friend of the deceased, said he spoke with him the day before he went missing and the two made plans to see each other the following day. Mr Glinton said the deceased did not normally drive with his shotgun in the car.

The deceased’s wallet was found in the truck.

Angelo Whitfield served as the evidence marshall, while Kara Turnquest Deveaux presided as coroner.