Dear Readers,

This paper is written so as to address not only the questionable doubts surrounding the death of Mr. Lawrence Gross and Mrs. Shelly Gross but to also evaluate the “preliminary” cause of death from a forensic standpoint which on the contrary was derived rather hastily.

Before moving any further, let me begin by extending my sympathy and outmost condolence to the bereaved families of the deceased couple.

Let us begin by understanding the gaseous relationship between carbon monoxide and the human body bearing in mind that oxygen is the gaseous element needed for respiration or in layman’s term, the air needed for us to breathe.

When we take in oxygen, it binds to components of the red blood cells known as hemoglobin which serves as the vehicle for transporting oxygen to tissues and vital organs (heart, lungs, brain, etc.) to ensure their viability.

In the event where a person inhales carbon monoxide (CO), a “competition” in then set into place between oxygen (O) and carbon monoxide (CO) since they both have an affinity for binding to hemoglobin. However, carbon monoxide (CO) has a higher affinity (250-300 times) for hemoglobin than oxygen.

This means, carbon monoxide at a certain level of concentration can easily inhibit the respiratory process and be deemed poisonous since it prevents the availability of oxygen for tissue consumption and eventually, organ supply.

With the above mentioned information, I would now like to proceed in conjunction with reports published by the Daily Observer via allafrica.com and FrontPageAfrica.

Beginning with the Daily Observer’s report, an excerpt from the publication indicated that an unknown family member stated that there were eight people who slept in the house on the unfaithful night of December 24, 2016.

However, on the next day; the Gross’s were discovered dead whiles the host (Rev. and Mrs. Charles Larkamah) were found unconscious and transferred for medical attention.

When cross-referencing with the report from FrontPageAfrica, it is also mentioned that a Police source had indicated that a 1.5 KVA Ruina gasoline generator was placed in the garage of the Larkamah’s residence to provide electricity for an air condition that was being installed in the guest room where the couple would have stayed.

Contrary to this, as reported by the Daily Observer; Lawrence and Shelly Gross were given the master bedroom that belonging to their host, the Larkamah’s which is also located further down the corridor from the front of the house, where the garage, which houses the generator, is located.

This does not coincide with further reports from FrontPageAfrica’s Police source who stated that “the poisonous gas was concentrated in the deceased room which faced directly across the hallway where the inner door to the garage is located and that the windows in the home were air tight which lead to ventilation being very poor”.

In addition to all of the this, the Daily Observer also mentioned that a day (December 24, 2016) after the couple arrived (December 23, 2016), they were invited to dinner at the home of Lawrence’s brother (Lewis) for dinner and upon the couple’s arrival there a little after 8pm until a few minutes past 11:pm when the couple were driven back to the Larkamah’s residence where they resided since their arrival in Liberia. On Christmas morning, they were found lifeless on the floor of their room.

Via the Daily Observer’s report, it was mentioned by Mrs. Kemah Larkamah that “upon the arrival of the autopsy team at the residence and prior to their investigation, they had alluded the cause of death to generator smoke, an indication of a premeditated finding”.

In conjunction to this, the FrontPageAfrica also reported a family member to have said that “they were informed by Dr. Christopher Chinedu Obiorah, an Anatomical Pathologist from Nigeria, who conducted the autopsies on the remains of Lawrence and Shelly Gross; that he discovered brain swelling in both decedents which is consistent with carbon monoxide inhalation”.

Critical Analysis

• When considering the mechanism of how carbon monoxide (CO) would impact the normal breathing with regards to the information provided above, we can clearly see why the Larkamah’s were found unconscious. Looking at the apparent misinformation presented by the Police to Front Page Africa, it was Rev. and Mrs. Larkamah who should have been affected by the exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) since they were in the guest room and closer to the garage and not Lawrence and Shelly Gross who were in the master bedroom and further away from the garage
• Was the air condition ever installed in the guest room and if so, was it in use that night? This would have manipulated the concentration of carbon monoxide in the room since there would have been a mixture of carbon monoxide and oxygen being delivered by the air condition
• If the Larkamah’s who were closer to the exposure of carbon monoxide were found unconscious, how is it that:
• Lawrence and Shelly Gross were not alive and perhaps complaining of headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting or even losing their consciousness; all of which by the way are symptoms due to carbon monoxide exposure as the concentration starts to increase but not yet sufficient to cause death?
• The other four (4) occupants did not die?
• When was the first time that the 1.5 KVA Ruina gasoline generator in question ever used at the Larkamah’s residence?
• If it is always in use at the home, has it always been in the garage and if so, has there even been a past incident of carbon monoxide poisoning?
• Was it perhaps a new generator that was brought in to support the generator that was being installed?
• With nothing personal against Dr. Christopher Chinedu Obiorah, this case should have been handled by an individual with a forensic pathology background and not just anatomic Pathology
• What toxicological testing were done on these decedents?
• If any testing were done, which facility was involved and what specimens were used to have derived such a hasty finding of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
• What supporting facts did the pathologist use to derive a preliminary finding of carbon monoxide poisoning, taking into consideration the time difference between the “time of death” and the “time of the autopsy”?
• Did Dr. Obiorah analyze the crime scene forensically to support a potential cause of death?
• Why did Dr. Obiorah focused on carbon dioxide poisoning and not just do a full panel testing considering all the suspicions that were surrounding the case?
• Does “brain swelling”, normally refer to as cerebral edema defines carbon monoxide poisoning

Death Scene Evaluation

Above are pictures showing a frontal view of the Larkamah’s residence where the Lawrence and Shelly Gross met their untimely demise. Looking at the garage gate, it can be clearly see that the garage gate does have an opening through which fumes from the 1.5 KVA Ruina gasoline generator could have escaped.

These photographs contradict another portion of the FrontPageAfrica report from a Police source which stated that “The garage in which the generator was placed did not have an opening for the smoke to exit; thus causing smoke to have circulated in the house and that the poisonous gas was concentrated in the deceased room which faced directly across the hallway where the inner door to the garage is located”.

This interpretation of this photograph should also call to question the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) that was in the home.

Therefore, considering the fact that there is an opening on the garage gate and the fact that the decedents (Lawrence and Shelly) were in the master bedroom, which was probably air-conditioned and not in close proximity to the garage, is it still possible for death due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a mere 1.5 kVA generator to have been related to their demise? If so, why was such poisoning very selective in its action?

Looking at other event options in terms of deriving a cause of death, let us look at a critical timeline:

• Lawrence and Shelly arrived in the country December 23, 2016 and had apparently spent the night at the Larkamah’s residence as planned during this particular visit to Liberia
• What was the setup of their sleeping arrangement as far the availability of a generator was concerned so as to service an air condition for their use?
• On December 24, 2016; they went to Lewis’s home for dinner around 8:pm and left just an hour to midnight
• What did they eat?
• What was their physical state from the time they departed Lewis’s home enroute to their place of residence?
• On the 25th of December, 2016; the couples were discovered dead on the floor of their room
• If they were actually found dead on their room floor, what may have caused that? Were they trying to get help and then succumbed to their untimely demise?
• Who facilitated the alteration and staging of the said “death scene” by transferring the bodies from the floor to the bed as seen in the picture above?
• What were the appearances of those bodies prior to translocation?
• Which part of the room floor was they positioned?

Conclusion

As we await a final and comprehensive autopsy report as opposed to the preliminary report which indicated the cause of death as carbon monoxide poisoning, I hope that a full scale forensic analysis would be considered so as to avoid any form of biasness based on the fact that the preliminary finding mentioned is not definitive for carbon monoxide poisoning, especially when there are other clues to consider in this matter.

“Facts are to the mind what food is to the body”- E dmund Burke

Disclaimer

This paper expresses the personal and professional views of Dr. Rockefeller F. Cooper II; based on his knowledge and experience in death investigation as it relates to both forensic science and forensic pathology as a whole. These views are also intended to ensure that the family members of the decedents are treated fairly, not left to decipher a game of mystery and to dismiss any potential stigma that may rise against any of the key players in this tragic saga. Email: whitekola@hotmail.com/ 334-233-9274

Monrovia – Ruling out food poisoning and witchcraft, FrontPageAfrica has authoritatively gathered from family and investigative sources that the death of a Liberian couple from Minnesota, USA, whose remains were found on December 25, 2016 – their wedding anniversary day – at their Chocolate City residence in Monrovia, was a result from asphyxiation, secondary to carbon monoxide.

Report by  Lennart Dodoo – ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

“The poisonous gas was concentrated in the deceased room because their room directly opposite the hallway where the inner door to the garage is.”

A family source informed FrontPageAfrica that they were informed by the Dr. Christopher Chinedu Obiorah, an Anatomical Pathologist from Nigeria, who conducted autopsy on the remains of Lawrence and Shelly Gross that he discovered that their remains had swollen brains which is consistent with carbon monoxide inhalation.

‘Poisonous Gas’ Theory

Corroborating the preliminary autopsy report, FrontPage Africa also gathered from Police sources that a 1.5 KVA Ruina gasoline generator was placed in the garage of house to provide electricity for an air condition that was being installed in the guest room of the house where the Gross stayed.

According to our Police source, the garage in which the generator was placed did not have an opening for the smoke to exit; as a result the smoke circulated in the house.

“The poisonous gas was concentrated in the deceased room which faced directly across the hallway where the inner door to the garage is located.

“The house’s windows too are air tight so ventilation was very poor in the house. You see, the thing about carbon monoxide is that it is odorless, tasteless and colorless.

It is very difficult to detect and it’s very dangerous. The sad thing was that there was no exhaust pipe connected to the generator for the smoke to exit the building,” the Police source who preferred anonymity told FrontPage Africa.

Peace Mediation Between Gross’s family

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Col. Gregory Coleman, has mediated a peace talk between Shelly and Lawrence’s families.

Police Spokesman, Sam Collins told FrontPage Africa that in a meeting held on Monday, January 2, both families met with the IGP at the Police Headquarters on Capitol Hill to settle contentions between the two families.

Shelly’s family delegation as led by Mr. Martin Kerkula, who is also the deputy director of the Center for National Documents and Records Agency (CNDRA) while Lawrence’s family was presented by Mr. Sano Wayne, a former deputy minister at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to Collins, a 10-man delegation was formed with five members each from both families to sort out differences with the other.

“Both families have been trading accusations but the IG has advised them to go back, hold a meeting among themselves and make peace with each other,” Collins said.

According to him, the families have been indecisive whether to bury the couple in Liberia or be flown to the United States where their children are.

Collins said while the IG has asked them to come to common ground on the decision, he has offered to provide Police escort, band and protection should the funeral be held in Liberia.

Collins could not comment on the preliminary autopsy report which points to carbon monoxide inhalation, but confirmed that the autopsy was conducted at the St. Moses Funeral Home on the Somalia Drive. He said the Nigerian Pathologist has already flown back to Nigeria and has not yet conclude the report.

“The Police, in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice would inform the public on the cause of death as soon as it receives the report on the autopsy”, Collins averred.

Monrovia – Family members are tight-lipped, the Police are holding on to facts and speculations are going wild. Doubts are mounting over the Carbon monoxide inhalation story as new revelations keep popping up.

Report by Lennart Dodoo – ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

While a Police source informed FrontPage Africa that preliminary investigation points to inhalation of the toxic fumes which was a result of smoke from their generator placed in the garage near the house, other sources close to the family strongly believe the couple was poisoned.

FrontPageAfrica also gathered from sources close to the deceased family that on the night prior to their demise, both Lawrence and Shelly Gross visited Lawrence bother’s (name withheld) home where they dined.

It is believed that the couple was poisoned at that dinner.

Our source further told FrontPage Africa that Lawrence’s brother owed the couple US$40,000 for business he had transacted for them in Liberia.

The couple was discovered dead on December 25 – the day that marked their fifth anniversary.

They arrived in Liberia from the United States on December 23 to reconnect with families, celebrate their wedding anniversary and check on their businesses in Liberia.

“Both Shelley and Lawrence were discovered dead with foams coming from their mouth – that could not be the effect of carbon monoxide.

Besides, there were eight persons in the house, how come the carbon monoxide killed only Shelley and her husband? I don’t want to undermine the Police investigation, but I can tell you that something went wrong somewhere,” the source said.

When contacted for update on the investigation on Thursday, Police Spokesman Sam Collins said he could not speak to FrontPage Africa exclusively as the Police was preparing a press release to issue to the media later Thursday evening.

However, the Police did not issue the release up to press time, the evening hours of Thursday.

Mr. Bernard Kumeh – a long-time friend of Mr. Gross who came along from Canada to join in the wedding anniversary celebration told FrontPage Africa via cellphone:

“I refuse to accept the death so I’ve not even had the courage to reach to the house to find out what happened. By this time Lawrence and I should be together right now.  We even planned to hang out together last night.

We all planned this trip—just to come and have fun because they came to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

We were supposed to go Cape Mount next week to have a feast – I think for his mother – he hasn’t cleared his things.

He came with his own shipment. He brought his own drinks. I think he planned on clearing them on Tuesday. He came with a plan.

He even brought a PA system for the SDA Church in Logan Town.”

Meanwhile, FrontPageAfrica has gathered that a Nigerian Pathologist has been invited to conduct post mortem on the bodies Friday, December 30, 2016 at St. Moses Funeral Parlor on the Somalia Drive. 

Total heartbreaking story even for people who don’t know both families of the young couple who lost their lives in such senseless tragedy.

And it is complete nonsense for anyone to point fingers at the husband who too died from this tragedy as insinuated in the 5th paragraph in the story from the bottom while an autopsy report and Police investigation are pending.

But blame for this tragedy and hundreds like it over the years must be placed on those who confessed to their role in sponsoring the 14-year Liberian genocidal holocaust that destroyed the little electricity we had.

And then when they promised to restore electricity and drinking water six months upon taking office in January 2006, we are still waiting for electricity 11 years into their presidency. These unregulated deadly spewing carbon monoxide substandard electric generators have sent hundreds, if not thousands, of Liberians to their early graves.

Just less than two weeks ago (December 15), Liberians were hook winked into believing that their 20-plus years of waiting for a centralized supply of power was at an end. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf switched on the much anticipated electricity on December 15 only for the historically plagued Liberia Electricity Corporation to resort to its famous excuses giving mantra in justifying the power outages.

Are Liberians eternally cursed with failure of good leadership at every turn of our national life? The failure of everything in our country is intrinsically tied to our political leadership failure, and thus an ever elusive true democracy from which all failures flow in Liberia and which would have held leaders accountable. And after 12 wasteful years, we go into new elections in 2017 looking for the lesser of the evils of the candidates we must choose from.

That our political leaders turned down an offer from China to build from scratch 240 megawatts of hydro power, instead we opted to refurbish an old generation of turbines that provided 88 megawatts and was plagued with frequent power outages.

Immediately our neighbor Guinea pleaded with the Chinese to locate the 240 MW hydro power plant in Guinea and is almost ready. Sure indeed, Guinea will be glad to become a landlord and rent power to Liberia like we are now doing renting electricity from our neighbor to the east, Ivory Coast.

This buttresses my argument of a failed political leadership curse for Liberia although we are the oldest independent Republic in Africa: 170 years old.

And now we have a young couple who because of love of country and decided to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary in Liberia, left the comfort of America with its steady supply of electricity only to go home and die from the substandard carbon monoxide spewing unregulated generators that contaminate the air.

We deeply sympathize with the couple and their families, but our government also bears responsibility in their deaths and the thousands of Liberians who died and continue to die in such senseless tragedy. Where there is no vision, the people perish. Indeed, 250,000 Liberians have perished and hundreds more each year from bad roads related motor accidents, carbon monoxide spewing from electric generators and from a broken healthcare system.

Jerry Wehtee Wion,
Journalist and Political Commentator
Washington, DC, USA

Monrovia – A Liberian couple from Minnesota, United States of America, was found dead on Christmas morning – the day of their fifth wedding anniversary.

Report by Lennart Dodoo | ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Mr. Lawrence Gross and Mrs. Shelley K. Gross are believed to have died from generator smoke, which reportedly suffocated them to death at the wife’s family residence in Chocolate City, Monrovia.

Speaking to FrontPageAfrica at the residence where the incident occurred, a relative of Shelley who preferred anonymity told the FrontPageAfrica that there were at least eight persons in the house when the sad incident occurred including Shelley’s parents and four children.

FrontPageAfrica was not allowed to photograph the residence.

According to the family source, when Mr. Gross realized that his wife had gone unconscious, he called out for help and her parents ran into the room but they also in no time fell unconscious while trying to help.

“This is a tragedy for the family. We’re all broken right now and we cannot talk to the press at the moment until we’ve had our family meeting.

“Besides, the way things are going and with the trading of accusations, we’ve decided to involve the Police to conduct their own investigation. But right now we cannot say anything.

They came on Friday [December 23] to celebrate their anniversary, which was supposed to be yesterday [December 25] only for us to come and hear this news.

Even the direct witnesses who were there when the incident occurred just came from the hospital because they all went unconscious.

They are yet to absorb the shock so it won’t be fair for to call them to talk to you. At the right time, we will give out the information when the family shall have decided on a spokesman,” a family member said.

Mr. Bernard Kumeh – a long-time friend of Mr. Gross who came along from Canada to join in the wedding anniversary celebration told FrontPage Africa via cellphone:

“I refuse to accept the death so I’ve not even had the courage to reach to the house to find out what happened. By this time Lawrence and I should be together right now. 

“We even planned to hangout together last night. Ww all planned this trip just to come and have fun because they came to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

We were supposed to go Cape Mount next week to have a feast – I think for his mother – he hasn’t cleared his things.

He came with his own shipment. He brought his own drinks. I think he planned on clearing them on Tuesday. He came with a plan. He even brought a PA system for the SDA Church in Logan Town.”

Allegations and Suspicions

FrontPageAfrica gathered the demise of the couple is stirring a rift between the two families with the Lawrence’s family suspecting the Shelley’s family of the death.

Sources within the Liberia National Police informed FrontPageAfrica that preliminary investigation points to the inhaling of Carbon monoxide.

But when contacted, Police Spokesman, Sam Collins told FrontPageAfricaa forensic team from the Police visited the scene and there was a rigorous investigation ongoing.

Mr. Collins assured the public that an in-depth investigative report on the cause of deaths would be release in the soonest possible time.

Collins added that while the Liberia National Police regrets the situation, it is calling on family members to remain calm as investigation is ongoing.