St Lucia

Police have described as “suspicious” the circumstances surrounding the recent death of a British born HIV/AIDS expert employed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international agencies.

Hilary Hughes-Augustine, 50, whose presence here has been under the scrutiny of the United Kingdom press, died at hospital earlier this month nearly three weeks after she was admitted to a hospital here for treatment of undisclosed injuries.

The British public health expert was married to a local builder, Cleus Augustin, and lived at La Guerre Babonneau, a community north east of the capital, where she owned a house.

Assistant Police Commissioner Frances Henry told a news conference that her department first received information about the Britiash woman on April 27 when she was admitted to hospital, but was unable to speak to her as she remained comatose until her death on May 4.

She said that the results of the post mortem which she did not disclose, made it absolutely necessary to engage in consultation with the pathologist and attending physicians during her period of illness.

“At that point it was determined that more investigation was needed, and samples obtained during her autopsy have been sent to the lab. “Thus far none of the individuals from whom information has been solicited or from whom statements were obtained are being treated as suspects or persons of interest in the case, instead they are being viewed as witnesses,” the Assistant Commissioner said.