标签： Bahamas

More than six years after Hurricane Dorian ravaged The Bahamas, the remains of several victims are still being stored in trailers in Grand Bahama, according to Opposition Leader Michael Pintard. Pintard has accused the current Davis administration of hypocrisy and neglect, highlighting the stark contrast between their past criticisms and their current inaction. The issue was brought to light during the official opening of the new Sir Albert Miller Community Centre and Emergency Shelter in Grand Bahama, a facility designed to provide refuge during future disasters. Pintard described the situation as ‘unconscionable,’ pointing out that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), which had previously condemned the Minnis administration for delays in burying victims, now faces the same unresolved problem. ‘There is a gap between what they say and what they do,’ Pintard stated. ‘There’s one rule for them and another rule for others.’ He also defended the Minnis administration’s record, asserting that it made more progress in housing repairs and family assistance in its two years post-Dorian than the current government has achieved in four. Hurricane Dorian, a catastrophic Category 5 storm, struck The Bahamas on September 1, 2019, with winds exceeding 180 miles per hour. The storm devastated Abaco and Grand Bahama, killing at least 74 people and leaving many missing. Entire communities were flattened, thousands were displaced, and critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and government offices, was destroyed. The recovery of hundreds of bodies and the subsequent struggle to identify remains became a source of national grief and political controversy. While in opposition, the PLP had criticized the Minnis administration’s handling of victims’ remains, pledging to ensure proper burials and compassionate treatment for grieving families.

Authorities are currently interrogating a man linked to the tragic death of a woman whose body was discovered in a densely vegetated area near Munnings Road on Wednesday morning. Sources close to the investigation revealed to The Tribune that the victim is Lauren Saunders, a 28-year-old mother of two who was seven months pregnant. Saunders had been reported missing since Sunday. While the police have yet to formally confirm the identity of the deceased, they are actively questioning a suspect in connection with the case. The partially decomposed body was found by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department shortly after 8 a.m., following a tip-off. Authorities have stated that the victim’s identity will be officially confirmed once her next of kin have been notified. Additionally, an autopsy will be performed to ascertain the exact cause of death. The case has sparked widespread concern in the community, with many calling for swift justice.

The search for Lauren Saunders, a seven-months-pregnant mother of two, ended in tragedy on October 22, 2025, when her body was reportedly discovered with gunshot wounds near Munnings Drive, off Gladstone Road. Saunders had vanished after leaving work early on Sunday to meet someone and never returned home. Her abandoned jeep was later found off Coral Harbour Road with a flat tire, her purse, and shoes inside. Family members, fearing the worst, believe she had gone to meet the man thought to be the father of her unborn child, who is believed to be married. Saunders’ sister, Charmaine Edgecombe, described her as a ‘sweetheart’ who was in high spirits before her disappearance. The family grew alarmed when Saunders failed to attend a function at Atlantis and could not be reached by phone. After checking every hospital ward, they filed a police report. Another sister retraced Saunders’ usual route to work and discovered the abandoned jeep. Police expanded their search along tracks off Gladstone Road, combing thick bushes near Coral Harbour Road. Relatives expressed frustration over the slow response and lack of updates from authorities. Saunders’ seven and nine-year-old children are heartbroken, and their grandfather is struggling to cope. Edgecombe admitted she is also finding it difficult to focus and move on. The disappearance comes four years after the death of Saunders’ mother, and she had not yet held a baby shower or chosen a name for her unborn son. Police have not confirmed reports that the father of Saunders’ unborn child has been questioned.

A groundbreaking study from the University of The Bahamas has uncovered the profound psychological toll of corporal punishment on Bahamian youth, linking childhood physical discipline to heightened anxiety, depression, and impaired self-control. The research, led by Professor William Fielding in collaboration with Dartmouth College and the US Veterans Hospital System, was published in the International Journal of Bahamian Studies and is poised to reignite debates in a nation where such practices remain culturally entrenched and often justified on religious grounds.

The death of 23-year-old Guyanese-American Dinari McAlmont, who was found dead near the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in The Bahamas earlier this year, has sparked widespread calls for a thorough and impartial investigation. McAlmont’s family, along with the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID), a New York-based advocacy group, have accused Atlantis security staff and the Royal Bahamas Police Force of colluding to potentially cover up a homicide. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has been urged to intervene and ensure a transparent inquiry into the incident. McAlmont, a resident of Bowie, Maryland, arrived in Nassau on April 4, 2025, with his parents for a family vacation. Less than 24 hours later, he was found dead on a beach, with officials attributing the cause of death to drowning. However, his family disputes this conclusion, citing inconsistencies in the investigation and evidence suggesting foul play. Surveillance footage reportedly shows McAlmont being assaulted by the chief of security at the resort, and his body bore bruises and marks consistent with defensive wounds. Autopsy and toxicology reports revealed ethanol, methanol, and marijuana compounds in his system, along with significant injuries. The family has appealed to U.S. officials, including Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, for support. CGID President Rickford Burke warned that the case, if unresolved, could severely damage The Bahamas’ reputation as a safe tourist destination. The organization has called for an independent investigation to determine whether McAlmont’s death was accidental or a homicide, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability.

Ameca Ford McKenzie, a 47-year-old single mother, faced an unimaginable ordeal when she and her two autistic sons were forced to sleep in their car at Saunders Beach. This distressing situation arose after Ms. McKenzie, who works as a security officer, fell behind on rent due to months of financial hardship following the death of her husband earlier this year. Her husband, whom she described as the backbone of the family, had succumbed to colon cancer after 25 years of marriage. Left to navigate life as a single mother, Ms. McKenzie found herself in a dire predicament. Despite reaching out to the Department of Social Services for assistance, she was informed that she was on a waitlist, leaving her with no immediate support. Desperate and with nowhere else to turn, she and her sons spent two sleepless nights in their car. The emotional toll was immense, with her youngest son nearly developing a fever from the stress. However, Ms. McKenzie found solace in her faith, turning to her Bible for comfort and protection. Her story gained public attention, prompting an outpouring of support from the community. Members of the Coalition of Independents (COI), led by Lincoln Bain, stepped in to provide temporary housing assistance. Ms. McKenzie expressed profound gratitude for the unexpected kindness, describing it as a miracle. She also shared that her employer, moved by her story, offered her a full-time position. Now, Ms. McKenzie is focused on rebuilding stability for her family, emphasizing that she refuses to let pride hinder her from seeking help for her children. Her resilience and faith have been strengthened by the experience, and she remains thankful for the support she has received.