Journalist Shelley Charke, managing director and editor of The News newspaper, died Friday morning, multiple sources have confirmed to iWitness News.
The circumstances surrounding the death of the septuagenarian are not clear at this time, but he had been living with a heart condition for years.
Clarke was a founder of The News, which celebrated its 35th anniversary in June and was the managing director and editor of the publication up to the time of his death.
Before founding The News, Clarke had worked for years at the state-owned National Broadcasting Corporation.
iWitness News understands that in addition to his heart condition, Clarke had been dealing with a particular matter related to the ownership and direction of the company that had been weighing heavily on him in recent months.
He had made an overture to share with iWitness News his version of the situation in an attempt to have it resolved.
A source in the know told iWitness News that Clarke and another member of his staff had not been paid for several months for his work at The News as another director of the company refused to sign their cheques.
The source said that while the other employee was paid after the intervention of a lawyer, Clarke was still awaiting his payment when he died.
iWitness News was reliably informed that Clarke had been taken for medical attention after being found unresponsive in his office on Saturday.
It is with deep profound sadness to learn of the passing of an iconic person. Mr Clarke was indeed a gentle giantwith a vast knowledge of the topic and issues of the day . I first met him on his many trips to Barbados in the early days of the News paper. . Has indeed professional and humble soul. My condolences go out to his family ,friends and journalists fraternity
St. Vincent has lost a true son of the soil and we are indeed poorer by his passing. May his soul rest in peace.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
I hope personnel responsible will pay his hard earned unpaid wages to his family members.
W****d people…do good unto others as you would like done unto you.
Our deepest sympathies to the families of the late Mr Clarke. He would be sadly missed. May his soul rest in peace.
The National Liberation Movement of St Vincent and the Grenadines
I had the opportunity to work in his presence at NBC Rado 705 and it was an honour. Rest in eternal power sir. My condolences goes out to your family and friends.