Sealy Family Demands Answers After Son Dies in Police Custody

A family is demanding answers after thirty-two-year-old Selvin Sealy Junior died while in police custody on Monday, following his arrest for trespassing on private property. According to police, Sealy was found in a tree when officers arrived at the scene. Assistant Commissioner Hilberto Romero told reporters that Sealy became aggressive when approached and had to be forcibly subdued. Moments later, he reportedly lost consciousness. Officers rushed him to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where he was pronounced dead. The police department says an internal investigation is underway, led by the Professional Standards Branch. But Sealy’s family isn’t satisfied with the official version of events. Earlier today, Selvin Sealy Senior told us his son was last seen alive that same morning by a sibling on the island — and he appeared to be in good health. Now, the family is left grieving and searching for the truth behind what happened in those final moments.

 

Selvin Sealy Sr., Father of Deceased

“I’m heartbroken about my son and I don’t wish this on anyone, it’s a really rough feeling. Even right now, I get emotional. The call came to my house about 7:30, somewhere around there, about 7:30, I was getting ready to go out and then I heard that my son was critical at the polyclinic in San Pedro. So I got the news and I got ready and I went there directly. In all the chaos, and all the situation, I saw my son lying dead on the table and it was a really heartfelt emotion for me. They told me that, someone at the police department, that he was at some, I think it’s like a private house, rental, pool, swimming [when] the security called the police to come and see. I don’t know what transpired from there. They do have videos which I would like to see and get for my personal satisfaction. But after that, in between, something happened when the police picked him up or so. That part, I would really like a clarification. And then they took him, it seems [like] because I heard [that] they were talking about they had him in a handcuff. They took him to the station and so forth. He was well in the morning because my other son saw him at 6:30, passing by the boats on the beach. It’s a human being, like everyone else. Somebody dies, your children somebody dies, you want justice because no matter how the person is… if he had committed a crime or something it’s different. I just want justice. I’m not pinpointing fingers, but my son died.”

The mystery surrounding Selvin Sealy Junior’s death deepens, as authorities have yet to determine what caused the thirty-two-year-old to lose his life while in police custody. The Belize Police Department says its Professional Standards Branch is still investigating the incident, but so far, no clear answers have been given.