Police have not ruled out foul play in the sudden death of a Southampton man who was found by a friend at his residence yesterday. Everest Mello, who was 65, was discovered in an unresponsive state at 9.30 a.m.

Police were called to the scene but Mr. Mello was not taken to the hospital and an on-call physician was pronounced him dead at 11.30 a.m. at the Southampton home.

Members of the Forensic Support Unit swarmed the area within an hour roping it off before they began photographing the residence. Police Commissioner George Jackson also arrived at the scene to discuss the incident with officers. Family and friends streamed onto the street crying and consoling one another.

No one from the family was prepared to speak to . It appears that Mr. Mello was a taxi driver and participated in the 2002 Folklife Festival ?Bermuda Connections: Homecoming? in the arts category.