[UPDATED] Asylum trumpet player dies of renal failure

Trumpet player and long time member of Bunji Garlin’s Asylum band, Marlon Roach, died of chronic renal failure around midnight on Friday.

His mother Christine Roach said her son, who turned 42 on Wednesday, had been in and out of public hospitals for some time. She expressed her disappointment with the public health system saying that the doctors did a number of tests but said nothing could be done for him. She said his abdomen had become painfully distended until finally the family took him to a private hospital and 2,500 millimetres of fluid was drained from his abdominal cavity.

She said he was not at the hospital at the time of his death because the family wanted him to be comfortable at home. “He is a very reserved young man. And just as he is reserved and quiet, just so my son died. He was sitting on the chair, he didn’t make a fuss, he just went peacefully like that. That’s the type of person he was.”

On her Facebook page. soca artiste Fay Ann Lyons Alvarez expressed her condolences to his family, and many others followed suit by commenting on her post.

Several people also expressed their sadness on Roach’s Facebook page, posting pictures of themselves with the late musician and communicating their disbelief of his passing. He was described as a warm person with the “biggest heart ever,” loyal, silly, and a gifted musician who always had an uplifting word for others.

One family member wrote, “Marlon was one of a kind, a fierce protector of those he valued, so to be considered a friend was a blessing. Even though we knew the end was near we were still unprepared.” Another expressed her grief at his passing but was grateful he was no longer suffering.

This story was originally published with the title "Asylum's trumpet player Marlon Roach dies" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Trumpeter and long time member of Bunji Garlin’s Asylum band, Marlon Roach has died after ailing for some time.

On her Facebook, page soca artist Fay Ann Lyons Alvarez expressed her condolences to his family, and many others followed suit by commenting on her post.

Several people also expressed their sadness on Roach’s Facebook page, posting pictures of themselves with the late musician and communicating their disbelief of his passing. He was described as a warm person with the “biggest heart ever,” and a gifted musician who always had an uplifting word for others.