The planned funeral for 29-year-old Orealla resident Mark Devair was abruptly cancelled on Saturday after relatives observed several unusual marks on his body while preparing him for burial. The discovery prompted the family to immediately alert police, resulting in the body being escorted to the No. 75 Regional Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Devair, a porter attached to a glass company and a resident of Orealla Village, was found dead under unusual circumstances between Sunday night and early Monday morning (November 23–24). He was discovered around 04:45 hrs on November 24 in a seated position, hanging under his family’s home by a yellow rope.
Police from the Orealla Police Station visited the scene later that morning. According to initial investigations, Devair’s relatives reported that he had been deeply affected by the death of his father, former Toshao Lewis Devair, who died in a boat accident earlier this year on May 10. Family members said that since the tragedy, he experienced bouts of depression and would become stressed and disorderly whenever he consumed alcohol.
His sister told investigators that he left home with friends around 14:00 hrs on November 23 and did not return. In the early hours of the following morning, another sister discovered him under the house and raised an alarm. The family immediately sought help and notified the authorities.
A Medex at the Orealla Health Centre examined the body and pronounced him dead. That examination also noted discoloration to the chest and lower abdomen, consistent with a possible hematoma or contusion.
However, it was during the preparation for his burial on Saturday, November 29, that relatives reportedly noticed additional unexplained marks on his body. Concerned, they contacted police, who arranged for the remains to be transported to the No. 75 Regional Hospital Mortuary in Corriverton for a full post-mortem.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding Devair’s death are ongoing.
Anyone who is thinking of suicide, whose life feels unmanageable or just needs a little help, please call or text the Suicide Prevention Hotline on 6007896 or 6234444, 2230818.
