There is “no indication of foul play” in the death of Fancy resident, Carlos Stay, 67, who was found dead in his house on Thursday after setting his room afire, police say.
In a statement on Tuesday, police said that an autopsy had concluded that Stay, a contractor, died as a result of asphyxia due to inhalation injuries, which were caused by thermal injury.
“These findings are consistent with the initial reports that Mr. Stay had set a room in his house on fire and remained inside,” the statement said.
“At this time, there is no indication of foul play, and the post-mortem results confirm the circumstances surrounding Mr. Stay’s death,” police said.
“We continue to encourage anyone with additional information related to this case to come forward and assist with the investigation,” police said, adding that people with information can telephone 999/911, (784) 457-1211, or (784) 456-1810
“The RSVGPF extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Stay during this difficult time,” the statement said.
Reports suggest that Stay had been having some physical health challenges after suffering at least two strokes over the last five years.
One of his daughters, who asked not to be named, told iWitness News on Thursday that he told her to take her son out of the house moments before he set the room ablaze around 9:30 a.m.
She said she thought that her father was going to spray an insecticide because there were a lot of mosquitoes around.
“I end up and see him with gas throwing in the walkway in the room and he had matches,” the woman told iWitness News.
“I had my son, so I tried to think about my son, ‘So I told him, ‘… go outside and I tried to go back into my room to get my things them, my documents.
“My dad said, ‘You nah hear me say alyo go outside? Alyo go outside and none ah alyo nah come back in here’,” the daughter further said.
“So, I tried to go back outside to let my mom and my boyfriend know what was happening. And my father ended up and say, ‘You all nah come in here. All ah you stay out there’ and he light the fire.”
Neighbours helped the family to put out the fire by which time Stay’s nude body was found inside the room in which he had locked himself.