Boy found hanging died of asphyxiation

-autopsy

An autopsy performed yesterday on the body of Marcelio Gladstone, the 11-year-old who was found hanging on Friday evening at his home, has given the cause of death as asphyxiation.

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud told Stabroek News yesterday that police are continuing to investigate the boy’s death. “To determine if his death was accidental or suicide we will undertake investigations both forensic and otherwise… speaking with persons he was close with, his teachers and so on, to determine if he suffered from depression,” Persaud said.

Gladstone was found hanging from a beam by an extension cord in his bedroom at his Parfaite Harmonie residence on Friday at around 7 pm.

His mother, Marcia Walton, said that the boy did not exhibit any signs that he was suicidal, like depression. She added that he was not bullied, molested or abused at home. Instead, she described a child full of joy and who was always to assist with household and yard chores.

The boy’s death opened an old wound for the family as his 21-year-old half-brother had committed suicide in January of this year.

He was found hanging by his father, the same way as Gladstone, at his residence.