Foreign forensic expert for ward's autopsy

The post-mortem of the 16-year-old girl who allegedly committed suicide at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre in St Andrew has been rescheduled.

The Ministry of National Security made this decision in order to accommodate the family’s request for an independent observer to be present.

Vanessa Wint was a ward of the state at the remand centre, when she reportedly took her own life on Wednesday evening.

Yesterday, her family’s attorney wrote the ministry asking that a foreign forensic expert chosen by them be allowed to witness her autopsy.

Today in an emailed response to questions from our news centre, the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the National Security Ministry, Gillian Haughton, said both requests will be honoured.

She said the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), is ready to facilitate a visit to Horizon.

Vanessa’s family wants a legal team to have a first-hand look at facility where she was held.

They say it is an attempt to get answers about the circumstances surrounding her death.

DCS officials say Vanessa committed suicide, but her family claims that the last time they saw her she was in high spirits and showed no signs of depression.

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