Catamaran Death Update: Harman Dead from Fall

Tonight, a mystery at sea is finally getting some clarity. Authorities found seventy‑two‑year‑old Canadian sailor Thomas David Harman dead aboard his drifting catamaran, raising all kinds of questions about what went wrong out on the water. Now, police say the post‑mortem points to a fall from height, an accident that may explain why the vessel was left to drift. What’s still unknown is whether anything, or anyone, contributed to that fall. Acting on the results, Belizean investigators are handing the next steps to Canadian authorities, who will decide if foul play needs to be ruled out.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“The body of Mr. Harman underwent an autopsy examination where at the conclusion the finding was that he died as a consequence of multiple blunt force traumatic injuries due to a fall from height.”

 

Reporter

“No foul play is suspected then?”

 

ASP Stacy Smith

“As stated, the conclusion of the pathologist is that he fell from a height and the circumstance are such that he was on board a boat. I don’t know if it is that the assumption would be somebody would’ve been up on the sail with him because that is the suggestion that has been given. However, as I would’ve indicated on the last occasion, this is not a matter that falls within Belize’s jurisdiction. Nonetheless, we have done our due diligence, due diligence in terms of securing and processing the scene and obtaining relevant evidential material. Should the persons who have jurisdiction, which would be the flagship or the country for which Mr. Harman is a national, that we are able to competently provide them with that information for them to carry further investigation if they believe that foul play is involved.”

 

Investigators have done their part in Belize, and it’s now up to Canadian officials to determine if Harman’s fall was accidental or warrants a deeper probe.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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