Maryland man, Dinari McAlmont died of drowning while on vacation with parents in the Bahamas, autopsy report
Officials in the Bahamas said they do not suspect any foul play in the death of the 23-year-old American whose body was discovered on a Paradise Island beach while on vacation with his family in the Caribbean.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force announced Wednesday that Dinari McAlmont, of Bowie, Maryland, died from drowning despite claims from his family that he had been beaten.
“A post-mortem examination was performed, and the pathologist’s findings revealed that the deceased died as a result of drowning,” the RBPF said in a news conference Wednesday, Fox News reported.
“Foul play is not suspected at this time,” officials stated, adding that police are still awaiting the results of the forensic toxicology exam.
But McAlmont’s distraught parents are not convinced by the findings.
“There is foul play,” his mother Michelle McAlmont told Fox 5 DC. “Because of all the bruises and you can see when somebody is abused and hit at, yes, and that is what I am saying.”
The Mayland family was staying at the Atlantis Paradise Bahamas resort, which sits on Paradise Island, just off the coast of Nassau, after arriving on the night of April 4.
Tragedy struck mere hours after the family arrived at the tropical destination.
McAlmont went to explore the resort at around 8:45 p.m. the same night and disappeared after a dinner with his parents, according to Fox 5.
The following morning at 5:30 a.m., the 23-year-old’s lifeless body was discovered by authorities on the shoreline of Paradise Island.
McAlmont’s mother immediately suspected foul play.
“When I looked at the photo they showed me, my son was beaten; he was traumatized,” she told a Bahamian outlet Monday.
“They beat my son down in the sand,” she said, adding through tears, “I need justice for my baby. I need justice.”
Early on April 5, prior to the discovery of the body, police were looking for McAlmont after he had been reported for spitting on a staff member at a restaurant in the resort, according to Fox 5 DC.
The grieving mother was not able to corroborate the allegations against her son.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our guests. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. We are fully cooperating with the authorities as they conduct their investigation,” Atlantis Paradise Resort said in a statement to Fox News.
The State Department maintains a Level: 2 travel warning for The Bahamas, urging citizens to exercise increased caution due to violent crime, with an increased emphasis on the island of Nassau.
