Police have now confirmed the arrest of a young man, in his late 20’s, in what is now a fullscale murder investigation into the death of 70-year-old Keith Gordon.
The well known City resident’s body was found at the family’s Victoria Street residence at 3pm on June 11.
Mr Gordon was the son of the late Dr EF Gordon and the brother of former MP Patricia Gordon-Pamplin and former Premier Dame Pamela Gordon Banks.
Speaking at a news conference held on Friday (June 24), Detective Inspector Jason Smith the initial status of the investigation changed after the postmortem results were submitted by an overseas forensic expert.
This after numerous tips from members of the public following an altercation involving Mr Gordon and others on the night of June 10.
That altercation took place in the parking lot of the Ex-Artillery Club, “almost directly across from the residence where Mr Gordon’s body was found”. It was also witnessed “a number of persons”, and by passing motorists, who “heard in particular an argument taking place”.
Mr Smith also confirmed that the man arrested on Wednesday (June 15) as a “person of interest” remains in custody, being questioned in relation to the circumstances surrounding Mr Gordon’s death.
“Subsequent to that particular line of inquiry and as a result of a post-mortem examination that was conducted by an overseas forensic expert, we now can confirm and report that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Keith Gordon is now a murder investigation,” he said.
Police also have CCTV footage to assist with the investigation.
Photo By Sharon Burgess
Mr Smith stressed that initially, nothing at the scene led officers to believe that anything suspicious had occurred. But after hearing concerns from the community, police launched an investigation.
“The man arrested is now assisting police with their inquiries and at the moment there is a file that is being prepared for review by the Department of Public Prosecutions, who at the appropriate time will make a decision on the way forward,” he said.
Once “officers performed an initial assessment and summonsed the assistance of an on-call physician who certified death shortly after their arrival”, he said “nothing” was “found to lead officers to believe anything suspicious had occurred inside the residence”.
“As a result of the concern expressed and information provided by members of the public, your police service, launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Gordon,” he added.
Police are now looking for public assistance to track Mr Gordon’s whereabouts “in and around the time of 8pm on Friday, June 10th, until the discovery of his body on Saturday, June 11th, to please get in contact with us by calling Detective Inspector Jason Smith on 717-0864, or the senior investigation officer, Detective Constable Odessa Philip, on 717-2193.
The public can also assist by using the independent and confidential Crimestoppers hotline, 800-8477. You may also call 211 or, the main police number 295-0011.
Mr Smith appealed to anyone who can assist “to come forward to assist us in bringing closure to the family of Mr Gordon, as well as putting together the pieces of this particular puzzle”.
A Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to assist the family during this difficult time.
The Bermuda Police Service also extended “extends its sincerest condolences to his family”.
Top Feature Photo By Sharon Burgess
