Police say teenager’s death was a road accident
Nineteen-year-old Jahmeiko Perkins was killed in a motorcycle accident, police announced yesterday.A forensic pathologist has declared Mr Perkins was not murdered before his body was found in a ditch next to Parsons Lane, Devonshire, on Saturday morning.Police had previously been treating the death as suspicious, with his family saying they suspected he could have been murdered.But officers held a press conference yesterday to put an end to “innuendo and speculation” that foul play surrounded the teenager’s death.Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro told the media: “In all the circumstances, it is the findings of the forensic pathologist that Mr Perkins’ injuries are consistent with a road traffic collision, and not circumstances that led him to find that this was a murder.“Whilst I cannot comment further at this time because investigations are ongoing, the Bermuda Police Service is satisfied that Mr Perkins did not die as a result of a beating or other form of assault.”In August 2006, 18-year-old Ryan Burgess and 24-year-old Akil Williams both died in motorcycle accidents at the same spot.Det Chief Insp Pedro continued: “The death of Mr Perkins and the location of where he was found has been the subject of intense debate, innuendo, and speculation in some segments of the community.“The Bermuda Police Service is only too aware that the history of this particular location holds a lot of mystery for some people, and the fact that three people have lost lives and been found at the same spot will undoubtedly fuel some conspiracy theories.”He said police had treated the death as a potential crime since Mr Perkins’ body was found by a passer-by at 9am on Saturday.They have not ruled out the possibility of another vehicle being involved in the fatal crash, and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.Officers would not say what Mr Perkins was doing on Friday night, but it’s previously been reported he was at a family birthday during the evening, while police are appealing for information from anyone who attended Ocean View Golf Club that night.Multiple friends, acquaintances and people who saw Mr Perkins on the night he died have already been interviewed, said Det Chief Insp Pedro.He continued: “I can say that assistance from members of the public was excellent as officers attempted to piece together his movements.“This morning I personally met with the family of Mr Perkins with the forensic pathologist, and they were provided with the initial findings of the autopsy in person.“Whilst this is not normal practice for the Bermuda Police Service, we felt it important for them to hear first-hand how their loved one died.”Inspector Phil Lewis said there’s nothing specific to suggest any other vehicles were involved, but that police are not ruling it out.Anyone who used Parsons Lane from 3am to 9am on Saturday morning should call police on 247-1504.