Ethylene glycol.
That is the substance that was found by renowned regional Pathologist Professor Hubert Daisley in the body of late opposition Senator Neilon Franklyn who died at the General Hospital on August 24 amidst national outpouring of grief and sorrow.
Well-placed sources told THE NEW TODAY that the Trinidad-based Daisley submitted his findings several weeks ago and a copy was made available to the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) to open a possible murder investigation into the Franklyn case.
Ethylene glycol is a toxic that has been described as a sweet-tasting liquid primarily used as an automotive antifreeze and coolant.
it is highly poisonous if ingested by humans or animals and can cause serious health issues, including kidney failure.”
The initial autopsy done by Professor Daisley only reached a preliminary conclusion that Franklyn died from anti-freeze poisoning.
However, due to the lack of facilities on the island, Professor Daisley took samples from the body to a Laboratory in Port-of-Spain to determine the exact substance that was used to cause the death of the young Customs Officer.
According to a source who reached the rank of Superintendent of Police in RGPF, after Daisley handed in his finding, the Police requested him not to divulge it to anyone based on “certain investigation they were carrying out” into the death of the ex-Senator.
He said the death of the ex-public officer calls for “real police investigation” to get at the bottom of the matter.
He pointed out that the police investigators assigned to the case will first need to find out who is importing the substance in the country and whether that type of anti-freeze is common in Grenada.
Sources told THE NEW TODAY that when the ex-Senator was brought to the hospital there were already signs that some of his vital organs were failing.
The retired police Superintendent pointed out that a proper probe into the death of Franklyn would also help the police find out “if those drinks (consumed by Franklyn) were pirated drinks” made in places like some countries in the Far-east.
“Could that have been one of them? All those things you have to look at. What drink he was drinking – I know it has pirate drinks like that but did it come into Grenada? Did they take it in drinks that they (seize from) them people (importing) drinks on the port? All these things you have to look at. Those are the questions that have to be asked.
According to the retired ace crime fighter, the investigating CID team needs to pay particular attention to “the friends, and associates” of Franklyn and find out “whether these people have the contacts and wherewithal (to get that material or chemical.”
He wondered whether the Police investigators are looking in that direction and have already checked out those things as part of their probe into the Franklyn case.