Man in police remand suspiciously dies in Antigua and Barbuda

A man captured for allegedly killing a Police Corporal Clifton Common in Antigua was found dead at his cell in the Her Majesty’s Prison on Wednesday. The sudden passing has raised certain concerns about the conduct of police in Antigua and Barbuda.

The deceased is identified as Verel Simon, who was recently remanded in prison by the court following the charges of killing Police Corporal Clifton Common.

As per the Royal Police of Antigua and Barbuda, Verel Simon was discovered unresponsive at his cell at approximately 11:50 am on Wednesday by officers carrying out their routine checks.

In a statement released later that day, police said the prison’s medical team administered CPR, which was continued by Emergency Medical Services personnel, but this was unable to resuscitate him.

The inmate was pronounced dead at 1:14 pm, but the circumstances which led to his death were not immediately clear.

The Minister of Public Safety, the Permanent Secretary within the Ministry in charge of the Prison and Prison Chief, have extended sympathies to the family of Verel Simon. The body has been taken in custody and sent for autopsy to find out the real reason behind the killing.

Simon, who is from Villa, was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison on February 19 for allegedly murdering 52-year-old Corporal Common.

The police officer died while receiving treatment for injuries allegedly inflicted by Simon at the St John’s Police Station on February 11 this year.