Former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Music Director, Claude “Sonny” Ault was on Sunday discovered dead with a bullet wound at his Florida residence by his son.
Ault, 72, was at the time residing with his wife and children.
Sources close to Ault say that it is being alleged that the man may have taken his own life.
Investigators have not conclusively labelled the man’s death a suicide. It was said that only after investigations have been completed, will it be clear what transpired.
Relatives of the man said that they are waiting the conclusion of the investigation before deciding on funeral arrangements.
Ault was not only a well respected Major in the GDF, but he also commanded its Band Corps as its Musical Director from 1972-1985. Although the head of the unit, he was known to be a skilled composer and clarinetist.
His works with the Force’s Band Corps earned him national recognition, and earned him a spot on the Guyana Delegation which represented the country during CARIFESTA VII, which took place in St Kitts and Nevis. Ault and 25 other individuals were selected by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. He served as the delegation’s Director of Music.
He also judged several music-related competitions such as the 2000 Mash Calypso and Soca semi-finals competition and the Mash 2000 School’s Steel Band Competition.
