No foul play in death of man found in San Juan

Renaldo Riley, 38, was a loving, kind and helpful individual who loved art, but silently battled many demons until his death.

Riley’s naked body was found on Sunday morning at Quarry Road, San Juan.

Speaking at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, on July 22, his nephew Javian Baptiste said the autopsy showed he died of natural causes, although his body bore marks of violence.
Baptise said Riley had been taking care of his ailing mother for some time before his death.

In his last interaction with Riley, Baptiste realised something was wrong and said it was “a bit sad, kind of depressing, because of how life was treating him.

The amount of stress he was enduring at the point in time, he was on the brink of giving up.”

A female relative who did not want to be named said she and Riley bonded over art.
“We were both into art. We would go back and forth with art. He did his own doodling and even some of the tattoos on his body.”

She said Riley would always ask her for advice and input on artistic designs. She described him as fun, as everything was “kicks with him,” so she and many others were unaware of Riley’s silent suffering.

“Taking care of his mother in the end and all the other stresses and complications of life (had a part to play in his death).”

She urged everyone to reach out to their friends and family who may be also suffering in silence.

“Be kind to everyone, because you don’t know what anyone is going through.”
She was happy the autopsy dispelled the rumours on social media that Riley had been abused.

“It was the level of an illness he had that took a turn for the worse.”
She said men’s mental health needs to be taken more seriously.

“We overlook men’s feelings because we think they’re strong – because men may not show emotion all the time.

“We need to be more aware and more sensitive to men’s mental health and not ignore them.”

Anyone who needs help or thinks about harming themselves can call Lifeline (24-hour hotline) at 800-5588, 866- 5433 or 220-3636.

In case of an emergency (attempted suicide), people can call 990, 811 or 999.