The finding of the post-mortem examination that was performed by government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh was released in a police statement. Observers said yesterday that the cause of death is suspicious, because the only gunshot wound Le Blanc, 62, sustained was to his buttocks. The bullet was safely removed afterward. He had also sustained a broken hip as he attempted to scurry to safety during the attack by gunmen at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sport Club (GMR&SC) on October 15. He appeared to be making a full recovery until he suddenly lapsed into a coma 11 days later, and died.
The autopsy was conducted at the Georgetown Hospital morgue and Crime Chief Seelall Persaud told Stabroek News that samples of the man’s body were also taken.
An official from the Canadian High Commission witnessed the autopsy in the absence of Le Blanc’s family, who were unwilling to travel to Guyana owing to security concerns. When approached, the official said he could not divulge any information because of the nature of the case. Asked whether Le Blanc’s family would be travelling to Guyana to claim the man’s body, he said, “I will not be able to tell you anything. What I suggest that you do is contact the office.”
This newspaper was unable to get any additional information from the Canadian High Commission. However, sources said officials here are working with Le Blanc’s family to have his remains transported to his homeland for burial.
Meanwhile, asked for an update on the Rodrigues investigation, Persaud said police have found nothing new but work is still being done on the ground to determine what led to the shooting. He said that there have been no new arrests in the case.
There are suspicions that a guns find at Lethem may have sparked the shooting of Rodrigues. Days before he was killed, he was released by police on bail after being questioned in relation to the discovery.
Sources had told this newspaper that a “weapons for drugs” trade that went sour was what led to Rodrigues’ death. Several persons, including Rodrigues bodyguard Marlon Osborne and Charlestown resident Mark De Abreu had been questioned about the shooting but were released. Osborne was gunned down last week.
Le Blanc had told Stabroek News that he was in Guyana on vacation and ended up at the GMR&SC after a taxi driver who was chauffeuring him around the capital recommended it.
However, just before 3 pm, a group of gunmen walked into the sports bar and shot Rodrigues, 40, called ‘Fatman,’ several times. He was the clear target of the attack.
Le Blanc, gym instructor Aubrey Henry, and Jamaican Michael Hopkinson were shot and injured during the attack. Le Blanc was admitted to the High Dependency Unit (HDU), Henry was discharged while the Hopkinson took his own discharge and returned to Jamaica.
Le Blanc, during his hospital stay, showed signs of improvement but had told this newspaper that he wanted to return to Canada so that he could access further medical attention. He had complained that the police were holding onto his passport and a substantial amount of his foreign currency, preventing him from leaving the country. After his death, Persaud and several hospital officials expressed shock at the man’s passing.
