A Coroner’s Jury heard details of the search for a West Bay man who said he would stay on his boat during Hurricane Ivan in September 2004.
The body of Osley C. Ebanks, 74, was found a month later. By that time, the cause of death could not be determined because of advanced decomposition. However, the pathologist who conducted the autopsy, Dr. Godfrey Blake, reported there was no sign of violence or injury.
Queen’s Coroner Margaret Ramsay-Hale explained the possible verdicts: natural causes, misadventure, suicide or, if evidence was insufficient, an open verdict.
‘Many of us will say in common speech that to go outside in a hurricane is suicide, but that’s not what is meant,’ she said. Suicide is very specific: it is a deliberate act with the intention of killing oneself. If that were the case, the jury would have to state the deceased’s presumed state of mind.
Medical evidence did not help, except to the extent there was no sign of violence. It was not known if Mr. Ebanks’ heart failed him at the height of the storm or whether a wave washed over and he drowned. ‘It may have been the sort of tragedy we all believed was widespread after the storm,’ she commented.
After deliberation, the jury of five women and two men agreed on an open verdict. The coroner said she thought it was a correct verdict.
Evidence from Mr. Ebanks’ wife and son detailed what happened before the storm.
Mrs. Ebanks said her husband owned a 26-foot boat and a 12-foot boat, both of which were kept at a dock in North sound in front of Calypso Grill at Morgan’s Harbour.
Whenever there was a tropical depression he would stay with the boats after securing them, to bail water and prevent them from sinking.
When Hurricane Ivan was approaching, he told her he would secure the boats behind the mangrove at Morgan’s Harbour. She asked him to reconsider because the storm was appearing to be dangerous. He insisted on going.
Mr. Ebanks’ son Armando also tried to persuade him not to go. Mr. Ebanks took some coffee and corn beef with him, saying ‘Don’t worry. I can take care of myself.’ He said he’d be going to Salt Creek or Barkers.
That was on Saturday, 11 September.
After the storm passed, the family began looking for Mr. Ebanks. A missing person report was filed at 8.30am on 14 September.
The larger boat was found submerged on 23 September in North Sound south of The Shores development and about one-quarter mile from Jackson’s Wharf.
The smaller boat was identified on 13 October after being found near a residence in The Shores near the entrance from the North Sound.
On 14 October another search party was formed with family members, friends and police. A grey engine box cover was found in mangrove not far from Uncle Bob’s Road canal.
The next day, Police Sergeant Javin Powery was part of a search team in the mangrove area behind Jackson’s Wharf. He and his partner found a body about 300 feet inland. Directly over it, lodged in the mangrove, was a piece of boardwalk from a dock.
Mr. Powery said he had known Captain Osley from the time he could remember, and he recognised him by his height, body shape, the colour of his hair and his hairline.
After the body was removed to the morgue for medical examination, Chief Dental Officer Dr. John Vlitos reported that his findings were consistent with dental records on file for Mr. Ebanks.
The pathologist found faint outlines of a tattoo on the right arm and Mr. Ebanks’ son Arnold identified it. He also identified his father by his height and build.
The coroner had told jurors that before they could return a verdict they first had to be satisfied the body was that of Mr. Ebanks.
The inquest was held on Thursday, 19 October.
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