Clifford Smith’s bruised and lifeless body washed ashore around 10 a.m. yesterday and was discovered by residents in the area. The shirtless body of the 23-year-old, Canan Lane resident was dressed in long black pants with a “rasta-coloured” belt and black tennis shoes with his cornrows still intact. Police Liaison Officer Walter Evans said preliminary investigations confirmed that Smith was on a boat cruise but the clues are still sketchy as to exactly what happened that night.
“At this point foul play is not suspected and investigations are continuing,” he said. “It is believed that he may have been in the water probably for at least 24 hours. But he may have suffered bruises to the facial area. We began a search immediately after we got the report of a missing person, but it wasn’t until [this morning] that somebody found the body. I repeat that foul play is not suspected.” But Smith’s family think otherwise. Between loud wails of grief and disbelief, various family members cried out for answers. According to family members, the young man went out on the boat cruise with four female friends, some of whom were his co-workers from Hard Rock Cafe. Clifford Smith Sr, the man’s father said he was able to gather more information from one of the women.
“When I was at the CID office [one of the girls] said she was the last one to dance with him and when the music changed he said he didn’t wanna dance anymore because he doesn’t like Soca, so he left the floor and went to he back of the boat but she stayed and danced. She said when she was done she went to the back of the boat to look for him and she couldn’t find him.
She informed the other three persons that he was nowhere to be found. They said they went all about Down Town and other places looking for him, but they didn’t find him so they went home. So the next day she said they went and told his mother that they didn’t see him.”
“She said [when they left the boat] they rode around for about three hours looking and they never found him. They went in some clubs and between some alleys. I don’t know why they chose those places and they even wanted to look in the hospital. Why they looking there if they know [he wasn’t hurt]?”
The family said based on this information they believe that Smith’s death was a set up. The young man’s “favourite uncle” Ernest Moss said they are calling on those individuals present that night to step forth with the truth.
“Before we put this body down we have to have an answer,” he said. “Someone out of the group have to answer to us. Tell us what happened and we will get justice from that, but right now the family can’t sleep. I’m not accusing [anyone] of nothing but we need a better answer.”
By: IANTHIA SMITH, The Nassau Guardian
