“I am not satisfied” – Mother of Otis Payne questions autopsy findings after death in police custody

Mar 30, 2026 News

---

(Kaieteur News) – The mother of 30-year-old Otis Payne, who died while in police custody last Tuesday, has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the results of the post-mortem examination, maintaining that injuries observed on his body suggest that trauma may have contributed to his death.

Payne’s death has sparked concern and public scrutiny, particularly following the release of the autopsy findings, which concluded that he died from peritonitis—a severe and potentially fatal infection of the abdominal cavity caused by a perforated stomach ulcer.

The post-mortem examination was conducted on Friday by government pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh at the mortuary of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Authorities have indicated that toxicology tests are still pending, and further analysis may provide additional insight into the circumstances surrounding his death.

In the wake of the incident, two police ranks who were on duty at the Cove and John Police Station at the time of Payne’s detention have been placed under close arrest. Investigations are currently ongoing and are being led by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).

Reports indicate that Payne was arrested last Friday in relation to a domestic violence complaint. He was expected to make a court appearance on Tuesday. However, questions have since arisen regarding the length of time he was kept in custody prior to being brought before the court.

Police claimed that he complained of feeling unwell and was taken to the Enmore Regional Hospital for treatment. After being returned to the station, he reportedly complained again, collapsed, and was rushed back to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

While authorities have attributed his death to natural medical causes, Payne’s mother, Amanda Kato, said she is far from convinced.

Kato, who, along with other relatives, witnessed the autopsy, said what she observed left her deeply disturbed and raised serious doubts about the official findings.

Speaking with Kaieteur News on Saturday, she described the condition of her son’s body as alarming. “I saw his body—it is very disturbing. It looks like they beat up my son. I can’t take that. I am not satisfied,” she said, suggesting that physical violence may have played a role in his death.

Adding to the growing concern, former Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe weighed in on the matter, raising questions about both the legality of Payne’s detention and the actions of the police during the period he was held.

Speaking on the programme Politics 101 with Dr. David Hinds, Slowe criticised what he described as a breach of standard procedures, particularly regarding the constitutional limit on detention without court appearance.

“Why keep him in custody for so long? He should have already gone to court since Monday,” Slowe said. “The police have no authority to keep someone in custody for more than 72 hours. If it becomes necessary to be kept in custody for more than 72 hours, they have to go to the court,” he said.

Slowe pointed out that Payne’s arrest on a Friday did not justify any delay in ensuring his timely court appearance. “Even if he was arrested on a Friday and kept over the weekend, he should have been placed before the court first thing Monday morning,” he explained. “I understand that court is not held at Cove and John on Mondays, but he could have been taken to Vigilance.”

Beyond the issue of detention, Slowe also stressed that Payne’s death in custody represents a serious failure on the part of the police to uphold their duty of care.

“He should not have died in police custody,” Slowe asserted. “If a person complains that they are feeling unwell, he should have been taken immediately.  Police are not doctors.”  He added, “If the police had done what they were supposed to do, he would have been either put on bail or he would have been placed before the court one day before the expiration of the 72 hours.”

Slowe also raised concerns about the transparency and credibility of the ongoing investigation, particularly the role of the Office of Professional Responsibility. He argued that such cases should involve the Police Complaints Authority from the beginning.

“The Office of Professional Responsibility was not set up for this type of investigation,” Slowe said. “This matter requires the involvement of the Police Complaints Authority by law. If the proper body is not engaged from the outset, it can affect the integrity of the investigation.”

He went on to question the competence and public confidence in the OPR. “Office of Professional Responsibility was never set up for this type of thing. This too brings to bring another issue. This requires the involvement of the police complaints authority, by law. If you are not dealing with the matter from the inception, things can happen which will impede the investigations. So again, I am not too confident that the OPR can conduct a proper investigation’’, he said.

Slowe concluded by stating that the police must be held accountable for Payne’s death, regardless of the medical explanation provided.

“If this man had a condition which would have eventually resulting in his death, he should not have died in police custody.  Police are responsible for his death. Even if they want to argue they might not have inflicted injuries, the fact that he died in police custody is an indictment on the police force,” Paul explained.

---

• autopsy, Otis Payne, police custody, stomach ulcer

---