Monrovia – The family of fallen Liberian journalist Zenu Miller has officially accepted a medical report from the ELWA hospital confirming that their relative died of “severe stroke and hypertension”.
Journalist Miller died on Saturday, February 15 at the ELWA hospital shortly after he reportedly fell off at his home.
This comes after the Executive Mansion announced that the government was preparing to conduct an autopsy on the remains of the fallen broadcaster to establish casue of death.
Since the death of the ace Liberian journalist, who worked with OK FM prior to his demise, there have been speculations over the cause of his death.
Some have alleged that since he had complained on January 26 about being allegedly flogged by agents of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), he died as a result of “internal bleeding and chest pains” he sustained after the incident.
But in a statement issued in Monrovia on Thursday, February 20 under the signatures of the deceased’s father and uncle, Forkpa W. Miller and John G. Miller, the family maintained that they “accept and respect” the medical report from the “credible medical institution,” the ELWA.
“On the unfortunate day of his passing, Zenu was taken to ELWA Hospital after a brief period of illness, where he was pronounced dead by doctors after several attempts to revive him proved futile. The medical report from the ELWA hospital gives reasons for his death from the diagnosis as severe hypertension and severe stroke,” the family statement reads.
“Based upon this medical report from a credible medical institution like the ELWA, the Family wishes to inform the general public that our son the late Zenu Miller died as a result of the above-mentioned reasons and that the Family accepts and respects the medical report issued by the Hospital”.
Meanwhile, the family has urged citizens to respect their decision to bury their relative on February 29 and accept the medical report released by the hospital.
“On the unfortunate day of his passing, Zenu was taken to ELWA Hospital after a brief period of illness, where he was pronounced dead by doctors after several attempts to revive him proved futile. The medical report from the ELWA hospital gives reasons for his death from the diagnosis as severe hypertension and severe stroke.”
– The family of the Late Zenu Miller
“While the family appreciates the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time after his passing, we will appreciate further if the public will respect the family wishes in mourning Zenu in a peaceful manner,” added the statement.
The family statement runs contrary to a latest release issued by the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) calling for the conduct of an independent autopsy.
The Union said, “With all the contentions surrounding the unfortunate death of Journalist Zenu Miller and direct accusation against EPS Agents deployed outside of the SKD Sports Complex, it is only thoughtful to invite respected members of the public to form part of the investigation”.
“In this respect, the Press Union of Liberia is proposing the inclusion of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, Inter Religious Council, Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, Liberia National Bar Association and the PUL to be represented by its National Media Council to assist the EPS in establishing the identities of personnel who manhandled Zenu”.
The Executive Protection Service, the PUL insists, must summit all of its personnel who were deployed in and around the SKD Sport Complex for questioning.
The Union maintained that while it welcomes President George Weah announcement of government willingness to finance an independent autopsy on the remains of Journalist Zenu Miller, investigation in his alleged flogging must be concluded in the earliest to enable analysis of the autopsy report.
Moreover, the PUL is appealing to the Miller’s Family to accept the government’s offer of an autopsy which is fundamental to providing justice for a true media professional.