$16K bill to repatriate “Doctor” stressing grieving family

A Redemption Sharpes family grieving the loss of a relative are experiencing another headache after being quoted EC$16,000 to return the body from Grenada back to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

The body of 50-year-old Everson King who is known in the Sharpes community by the name ‘Doctor’ was pulled from the waters off Grenada on February 25, 2025.

He had been reported missing by his friends with whom he had travelled to Petite Martinque to complete short-term construction work the previous day.

His younger sister, Jennifer King, told SEARCHLIGHT that the family has been trying multiple avenues for assistance from the Government in having Everson’s body returned as the cost quoted is too high for them to cover.

“They told us it is $16,000 to get him bring back. I believe that they should help us bring him back seeing that he was a mental health patient.”

Everson was diagnosed with mental health issues, and has been on medication for more than a decade, according to the family.

Jennifer explained that she tried to seek an audience with the Prime Minister this week but was unsuccessful.

King said she was growing frustrated with lack of assistance and called on the Government to step in and assist the family.

Meanwhile, Opposition Member of Parliament for Central Kingstown, St Clair Leacock, addressed the matter in the House of Assembly on Thursday, March 6, 2025 and said he would be seeking a private audience with the Prime Minister to meet the family’s request.

Leacock said he too has tried to seek assistance through government avenues and has not found any success.

“I would privately speak to the Prime Minister in this regard. I have the information. I tried reaching the office and so many quarters in Foreign Affairs, unsuccessfully. The family is having a problem getting the body back to St Vincent and the Grenadines and I have said in advance, the Prime Minister doesn’t let those things pass him,” Leacock said in Parliament.

“I’ve actually asked the Coast Guard to bring him to Union Island, and I pray that you will bring him from Union Island to St Vincent with whatever forms of assistance you do at times like these.”