Monrovia – Nearly seven months after his controversial death, there appears to be some closure to the Harry Greaves mystery.
Report by Rodney D. Sieh, [email protected]
FrontPageAfrica has obtained copy of a confidential report labelled Law Enforcement Sensitive, undertaken by investigators from the United States Government’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) which concurs with findings of investigators of the Liberia National Police and U.S. Pathologists; that the former Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company, died as a result of accidental drowning.
“The notoriety and conspiracy theories surrounding this case speak to the life of Mr. Greaves and his standing in the country.
DSS investigators concur with the LNP’s investigation and finding that Mr. Greaves’ death was an accidental drowning – Diplomatic Security Service (DSS)
DSS Agents, according to the report were able to determine that Mr. Greaves went to the RLJ Kendeja Resort in the afternoon of Friday, January 29, 2016 where several witnesses and a food receipt placed him at the resort from before 3pm and after 6:30pm.
“Mr. Greaves was not seen with anyone, had very limited conversation with those to whom he spoke and reports indicated that he was alone relaxing on a beach chair,” according to the report.
The four-page report which was submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the U.S. Embassy on July 28, 2016, reveals that marital and personal problems may have driven Mr. Greaves to the edge.
Greaves was ‘Depressed’, ‘Withdrawn’ in Final Days
The MoFA presented the findings to Presidents Sirleaf’s office on August 11, 2016.
According to the case summary report release to the Government of Liberia, during the investigation, DSS Special Agents learned that Mr. Greaves was undergoing great personal stress to include financial difficulties and a failing marriage.
“Several witnesses expressed to investigators that the last weeks of his life, Harry Greaves appeared sad, depressed and withdrawn,” the report noted.
DSS Special Agents, according to the report, drew their conclusions after a review of the LNP investigative efforts, the preliminary and final post-mortem report, the JFK Medical Report, the photographs taken of the body upon it being found and from the autopsy and interviewed witnesses.
Investigators however explained that while the JFK Medical Report was a recording of observations by a doctor, it was not an in-depth examination of the body.
“For that reason, the autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death. Both the preliminary and final post-mortem reports indicate that the cause of death was asphyxia by drowning; injuries and damage to the body occurred after death and are consistent with post-mortem impacts on ocean rocks and sand. Toxicology tests proved negative for substances that could have produced a cause of death or incapacitation.”
No Foul Play, US Probers Say
Investigators concluded: “The US government is confident of a finding of no foul play with respect to the asphyxia by drowning death of Harry A. Greaves (DPOB 12/15/1949).”
Mr. Greaves’ body was found on the beach near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the morning of Sunday, January 31, 2016.
The report explained that prior to the discovery of the body, the family of Mr. Greaves had reported him missing and the LNP had opened a missing person case.
The investigation was initiated the afternoon of Saturday, January, 30, 2016.
DSS Agents, according to the report were able to determine that Mr. Greaves went to the RLJ Kendeja Resort in the afternoon of Friday, January 29, 2016 where several witnesses and a food receipt placed him at the resort from before 3pm and after 6:30pm.
“Mr. Greaves was not seen with anyone, had very limited conversation with those to whom he spoke and reports indicated that he was alone relaxing on a beach chair,” according to the report.
‘Ocean Very Rough’, Greaves, Others Were Warned
Investigators recorded that on Friday, January 29, 2016, the last day that Mr. Greaves was seen alive, Mr. Greaves went to the RLJ Resort but did not interact with many people and witnesses stated that he was taciturn.
“During a conversation with an on-duty lifeguard, Mr. Greaves was informed that the ocean was very rough. Despite the lifeguard’s warning to Mr. Greaves and other guests, there were few who went into the water.”
Investigators documented that Mr. Greaves was last known to have been seen relaxing on a beach chair at 630 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2016.
“It appears that Harry Greaves chose to enter the ocean as there is no evidence to indicate he was involved in a struggle; witnesses state there were no altercations on the beach that night and there were no injuries to Harry Greaves’ body consistent with a fight or assault on his person.
Additionally, investigators do not believe Mr. Greaves’ death was a result of a robbery since, when the body was found, Mr. Greaves was still wearing a gold jewellery.”
Greaves’ Intent Undetermined
Investigators recorded that there is no way to know Mr. Greaves’ intent when he went into the ocean; only that he did.
“He left behind his personal belongings including his cell phone, a watch and some clothing, on the beach chair.”
Investigators reported that the presentation of the body was consistent with drowning to include tongue protruding between clenched teeth.
“The external visible injuries were consistent with washing around in the ocean and coming into contact with rocks, of which there are many.”
The report explained that the coast along Monrovia is known for its lethal riptide and the US Embassy specifically warns personnel in security briefings about the dangerous currents.
“LNP further confirmed that drownings are not uncommon in Monrovia and that they typically investigate one or more apparent drownings each month after a body is found washed up on the beach.
The notoriety and conspiracy theories surrounding this case speak to the life of Mr. Greaves and his standing in the country. DSS investigators concur with the LNP’s investigation and finding that Mr. Greaves’ death was an accidental drowning.”
The body of Mr. Greaves was discovered on Sunday, January 31, 2016 on the beach behind the Executive Mansion, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building and taken to John F. Kennedy (JFK) Medical Center for official determination of death.
President Sirleaf on Monday, February 1, 20116, requested an independent probe into the death of Mr. Harry A. Greaves and on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, the U.S. government responded affirmatively in the form of a letter and personal introduction of the senior Criminal investigator handling the request for an independent inquiry into the death.
According to the report, on Friday, February 19, 2016, Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agents met with Liberia National Police (LNP) investigators and explained the purpose and scope of the investigation.
“The LNP investigators explained the purpose and scope of the investigation. The LNP investigators team provided a verbal briefing of their case and a summary of their investigative activities to date in the death investigation.”
The report totally ruled out suspicions and speculations that Mr. Greaves’ death was a result of something sinister.
“DSS agents found no evidence that Mr. Greaves death was the result of criminal activity. This determination is supported by witness statements and both the preliminary and final post-mortem autopsy.
According to the two Pathologists that performed the autopsy, there were only post- mortem injuries or damage to the body.
The JFK Medical Report indicated Mr. Greaves was dead on arrival and noted that the entire body was bloated, apparently due to immersion in water, and had a laceration on the head.”
Mystery Complicates Closure to Saga
Liberians have been struggling to accept initial theories by the government that Mr. Greaves death was a result of drowning due to the graphic appearance of cuts and wounds when the body was discovered on the beach.
A JFK initial report obtained by FrontPageAfrica days after the discovery, noted that there were blister-like lesions from the neck down to Mr. Greaves chest and noticeable peeling of the skin with both arms swollen, large, contracted and still; that his abdomen was bloated, and that his rectum was widely dilated and oozing blood.”
Precious Andrews Greaves, widow of the deceased, also expressed outraged and a sense of discontent over the manner in which her late husband’s autopsy and investigation was handled, going on to suggest that the entire matter needed to be handled a little bit more professionally and that the family should be part of the process, because according to her – “It seems, what the left hand is doing, the right hand does not know about.”
President Sirleaf weighing in on the matter, in a FrontPageAfrica interview earlier this year, declared that God will expose the right people responsible for the tragic end to the life of the former LPRC Managing Director.
“What else could I feel when Harry Greaves died, other than extreme sadness, because this was a talented person.”
How much acceptance and credence Liberians give to the input and observations by U.S. investigators remain to be seen as family, friends, loved ones and sceptics eye closure to the sad and tragic ending of one Liberia’s most controversial figures.