We warn you, our next story deals with a suicide, so, if you are sensitive to such thoughts - you might want to take a break from watching for a few minutes.
A man killed himself while in the custody of Dangriga police yesterday - and tonight his family has very many questions about it. What's worse, they say they have not been given an account of the apparent suicide by the police.
Today, the family of the father of 12 told Jomarie Lanza what they know.
The death of 33 year old Derrick Dionicio remains a mystery to his grieving family. The account that was given leading up to his death stems from a domestic dispute between Dionicio and his common-law, who is a police officer.
According to one police source, Dionicio had gotten into a physical altercation with his partner, and threatened to take her life. She filed a police report against Dionicio, and shortly after he was picked up by police. Things took a grave turn after Dionicio was detained when he asked police if he could make a stop at his home for a change of clothes before being taken into custody. Officers complied with his request, and upon entering his home Dionicio then withdrew a firearm stashed within the house and turned the gun on himself. We note that this is one of many accounts circulating regarding his death.
The question remains as to why the father of 12 would take his own life, allegedly in the presence of police officers just moments before he was to be brought in at the Dangriga police station. His family on the other hand isn't buying that story and claims that up to now, police have yet to inform them of the incident.
Voice of: Niece of Deceased
"Until a relative from the states called my mother and informed her about the news. Up to now no police, they haven't come, they haven't said anything they haven't called or said anything. Yesterday my sister and my two cousins went to receive the body and I was asking the police questions you know just answer me we deserve to know what happened and instead of answering me they just were like "Let's go just let's go" and they jumped in the mobile and skidded off. I mean he is not an animal he is someone's loved one we deserve to know what happened to my uncle. To be honest I'm very confused. I'm angry and I'm hurt."
The family claims that Dionicio was good natured and they did not detect any suicidal tendencies prior to the incident. They suspect that foul play was involved given the many holes in the story and questions yet to be answered.
Reporter
"Did your uncle ever mention to you that he was having issues with the person who was involved in this incident? or did he ever mention anything concerning to you that he would want to take his own life?"
Voice of: Niece of Deceased
"No ma'am, never he never came and said he has issues with the person he never came to me and said he would take his own life. This is foul play miss i know what I'm telling you. The way I see my uncle I know this is foul play nobody can't tell me that it isn't one of those police who killed my uncle."
"We deserve to know what happened because if they were taking him to retrieve a shotgun from Hope Creek why wasn't he handcuffed if they had already detained him? Why wasn't he handcuffed?"
More questions than answers tonight - and nothing more than memories:
Voice of: Niece of Deceased
"Well my uncle was a very loving person. He loved his children, loved his sister, and loved his nieces and nephews. If anything, we can always call on him if something happens to me. He is always the first person I thought about to call because he will come to my rescue no matter where I am. You understand? So when my mom went to work he would cook for us, hang out with us and play with us so you know I have a lot of memories of my uncle. I don't find him to be aggressive I don't find him to be suicidal or you know trouble anyone he was never that type of person."
Police have not sent out an official report on the incident but the Commissioner of police told us that Dionicio had expressed suicidal thoughts to the police when he was detained - for firing the weapon. He said he would take them home to hand over the weapon. He climbed up the ladder to his home and - police say he shot himself before they could stop him.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts please reach out to Ms Ingrid Bonilla from the Ministry of Health and Wellness at 614-2908.
