A cousin of Television presenter Angelica Bell has been found dead at his home in St Lucia.
Raymond Abraham,64, from West London, was found deceased at his property in New Development, Soufriere after a welfare check by police.
Abraham who had been living on the Caribbean island for several years was found unresponsive when police entered his home after being alerted by his neighbours on Saturday morning at 11:30 am.
The former marketing and communications expert is related to radio and TV presenter Angelica Bell, whose family comes from the picturesque town in the West of the country.
Speaking from her house in West London his sister Valentina Lightbourne, said his death has come as a big shock to her family. ” My brother had a lot to live for. He was enjoying his time out there in St Lucia, our family’s country of origin. The news of his death has touched us all. We are sadden by his passing.” she said.” I will be flying out there with my brother Angus, my husband and sister-in-law to take care and make arrangements for his funeral.”
Police in St Lucia are trying to ascertain his cause of death and a post-mortem will be taking place soon.
The family are travelling to the island this week to make arrangements for his funeral after the Post-Mortem has been carried out. A neighbour who asked not to be named said that Mr. Abraham was a very jovial man who reached out to his neighbours. ” He was always cracking jokes with us. He kept himself to himself and was well liked by everyone he came in contact with. He was a nice decent man. We loved his English accent . He was a nice gentleman.” He said.
A local police spokesman said: “We are working to establish this man’s death. We are trying to establish the full picture surrounding his death.”
A family source in St Lucia said:” Raymond was related to British Television presenter Angelica Bell. Their family comes from Soufriere. The family moved to the UK during the Windrush years and built their lives over there. They are a well respected family both in the UK and St Lucia. He adds “We are all sadden by his death.”Tributes have been pouring for him on Facebook, Wayne Llewellyn said: “The news that reached me this morning was devastating, I can’t believe it. RIP my friend.” Catherine Sandra Martins wrote “I just can’t believe it. It’s so very sad and has really made me reflect on what’s important to us. Ray was larger than life with a huge personality. May he rest in peace”