Officers at the scene in Italy after a Bahamian diplomat’s body was found in a river.
5.50pm UPDATE: Officials have confirmed that the body of Blair John was pulled from the river Po on Wednesday morning. More news to come.
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
A BAHAMIAN diplomat has been found dead in an Italian river while police there have begun searching for another Bahamian man reported missing.
The body of foreign service officer Alrae Ramsey, 29, was found floating in waters of the Po river in Turin.
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) chairman Fred Mitchell, former minister of foreign affairs, hailed Ramsey in a statement as a “brilliant young man, full of hope and promise”.
The missing man is Blair John. Mr John’s mother, Cathleen Rahming, told The Tribune her son travelled to Italy from Canada recently to speak at a psychology conference. She said her family remains hopeful he will be found safe.
Multiple Italian news organisations reported that police saw no signs of foul play but noted that Ramsey had head wounds consistent with a fall.
The Italian newspaper Courier Torino –– whose Italian language The Tribune has translated here to English –– wrote: “A Bahamian diplomat was the man found dead today, Tuesday, in Turin in the waters of the Po river, at the Isabella bridge. He was 29 years old. On the head the corpse presents a wound that the police investigators, interviewed on the spot, hypothesise was sustained in the fall. The body had been in water for two or three days. The alarm was given by a passer-by who noticed the corpse on the river. The mobile police squad investigates the case. From the first investigations no evident signs of violence on the corpse would emerge.”
Another Italian newspaper, la Repubblica, reported that firefighters recovered the body. “The young man,” the report said, “was passing through Turin, in the company of a boy who is missing. The two were staying in a city B&B (bed and breakfast)…We have not heard from (the) fellow traveler, aged 28, for 3-4 days, the date on which the 29-year-old died. The two, from what we learn, had arranged to meet in Turin, where they would arrive on 28 May.”
Ramsey was a former student of Saint Augustine’s College. A source said he was on study leave in Vienna and went to Turin on a holiday. His family declined to comment when contacted yesterday but The Tribune understands the last time family communicated with either man was last week Thursday.
Ms Rahming, the mother of Mr John, said she has representatives in Italy trying to find her son.
“We remain hopeful, prayerful and I am believing God will bring him back safely,” she said. “I’m going to stay positive and that’s what I’m going to hold on to unless I hear otherwise.
“There are some persons connected to me who are on the ground, they are keeping me updated. I have some information but I’m not at liberty to disclose it but I have persons there that are in communication with me, they have had contact with the authorities so I have up to date information but at this moment I would like to keep everything under wraps because we don’t know where my son is.”
Ms Rahming said her son went to Italy to deliver a presentation.
“He is a psychology PhD major and he was representing the university and went over there to communicate his research at the conference,” she said. “He was selected based on his worth ethic, his grades, among other things to represent the university.”
Mr John’s Linkedin page notes he is a junior consultant at the CN Centre for Occupational Health & Safety in Canada at Saint Mary’s University. He is a psychology graduate student pursuing a PhD at that university.
For his part, Mr Mitchell said the country has lost a diplomat with a promising future.
“I am devastated and I have a deep sense of sadness and loss at the news that Italian authorities have identified the Bahamian diplomat Alrae Ramsey as dead, found in waters in Turin, Italy,” he said. “The report is that another young Bahamian is missing. I am lost for words that a young man with such promise has left us. I worked closely with him throughout his career as a diplomat. He was a brilliant young man, full of hope and promise. A fine example of the most probing young people of his generation. We have an obligation to find out what happened. I remember Mr Ramsey’s great work in the first campaign for the Bahamas to be elected to the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. I have reached out to the foreign minister and my former colleagues to express my shock and sadness. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two young men. On behalf of the Progressive Liberal Party, I offer our prayerful support.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that representatives have been sent to Turin to verify the facts of the matter.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aware of reports circulating regarding two young Bahamian men, who have been reported missing in Turin, Italy,” the statement said. “Newspapers are reporting the discovery of the body of a male believed to be a Bahamian, which was pulled from the river in the area of the Isabella Bridge in Turin. The ministry is investigating this matter with the appropriate authorities in Turin, as well as with Bahamian authorities. A senior diplomat from the Bahamas High Commission in London has been sent to Turin to speak with police and other officials, in order to verify the facts. The ministry is in close contact with the family of the two young men. Our prayers and thoughts are with both families at this time.”
Comments
sheeprunner12 4 years, 10 months ago
Why was Fweddy so bent out of shape and wailing publicly over these boys??????? ........... He is not even the present MOFA .......... He is out of order .................. HMMMMMMM
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 10 months ago
They could have just been good boys....Maybe he liked them. Maybe he was happy to see a promising young Bahamian making strides when so many of our males are ending up dead or in jail.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 10 months ago
I completely agree. They "could" have been. But unless you know that why make the insinuation?
The same argument you make is the same point Im making. Why can't Fred Mitchell just like someone because he likes them or respects their work or character? As far as I know he's human. I don't like his actions sometimes but I've never heard him described as some predator.
Women can like men, women can like women and men can like women and men can like men for no other reason than they like them no sexual agenda involved. Why men is go watch the football game together? They gay? We are too caught up on gay and straight and not enough on character.
DreamerX 4 years, 10 months ago
Blair, at least is a fox hill native. One of the best influences out of foxhill in his generation.
DreamerX 4 years, 10 months ago
They were schoolmates from '07 and '09 that played on the same soccer team and were positive influences to students through mentor-ship programs. You must be a sad individual.
BahamaRed 4 years, 10 months ago
Nah, I am realist and know exactly how these things play out in foreign countries. We'd all be shocked and surprised to to find out the motive behind the deaths of two men, who from all appearances are educated and progressive.
I am just speculating...
GeeEm 4 years, 10 months ago
And your speculation is rude, unnecessary and incorrect. Sick and sad people probably projecting their own homosexual fantasies.
HereHere47 4 years, 10 months ago
This is not you being a realist but you being a complete d—khead. The two went to speak at a conference. Nothing more. When traveling abroad with coworkers and etc, it’s common to share a room. Only your mind thinking of homosexuality. Says a ton about yourself.
BahamaRed 4 years, 10 months ago
Go and read other articles about this... they are giving the tone that these two men were "together" and some illfortune befell them.
GeeEm 4 years, 10 months ago
Together as in they planned to meet their as FRIENDS. Y’all are halfwits.
DreamerX 4 years, 10 months ago
Jesus what is wrong with you all. Two schoolmates are dead and you are going on about Fred Mitchell? Alrae Rahming and Blair Johnson are SAC alumni graduating 2007 and 2009 respectively. They were both great influences to a lot of students from highschool and later excelled at leadership and bringing people together in their collegiate activities.
Sickened 4 years, 10 months ago
Sad situation, but as soon as Fred chimes in on boys then he kind of ruins the discussion.
tetelestai 4 years, 10 months ago
Sickened, then you are an idiot.
licks2 4 years, 10 months ago
Yall can't get on this poster for his suspensions. . .that seem to be the "bent" given by the Italian press and police!! They are not saying it in plain language. . .the innuendos are as thick as politics in the Bahamas!!
They said that foul play is not suspected. . .even though one had his head seriously gashed. . .they "think" he fell or was pushed from a bridge!! They laid out how one came from Canada to meet the other and they "stayed" together in a B&B for some days until a pass-by found one dead in the river!!
However, I too will encourage the courtesy of holding back speculations until more information becomes available!! But yinna who are up in arms for the poster saying that them two fellas them were involved should read the international press. . .they think that this is a love thing gone bad as well!! They een say it yet. . .but they sure as hell intimating it!
BahamaRed 4 years, 10 months ago
Thank you... because that is exactly why I said what I said. From reading the article it seemed to lend as though that is the tone based on what the Italian translated article said. Because if the intent was no to give that innuendo then why mention they were staying together at local B&B.
GeeEm 4 years, 10 months ago
I know this may be a but much for your tiny mind to comprehend but the Italian media functions like tabloids. They have about as much information as you do. Secondly, Air Bnbs can have more than one room but of course your mind is running wild because you are evil-minded. Two young men with promising futures are dead and the first thing you can infer is a gay scandal? You are sick and sad.
HereHere47 4 years, 10 months ago
Every Black person should always travel with some sort of protection or this would be your fate. Sickening.
Sickened 4 years, 10 months ago
WTH! How far out in left field are you?
HereHere47 4 years, 10 months ago
Not far out of left field at all. Tons of stories like this over the years particularly to Blacks. Relating to Italy, there has been an uptick in immigration from African countries and elsewhere. Locals see folks differently from them and would attack them or deny them entry into establishments. This isn’t an oppression war post but Blacks should protect themselves while traveling. Those are facts.
PleaseWakeUp 4 years, 9 months ago
Concur 100%
As I regularly monitor incidents such as this, it is imperative to protect yourself!
The incident with Bakari Henderson in Greece a few months ago is another incident.
Especially with the rise of far right groups, far right elected officials in countries such as Greece, Italy, etc.
As I continue to read about stories such as this, i am surprised why the continued fascination with traveling into these danger zones!
birdiestrachan 4 years, 10 months ago
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Dawes 4 years, 10 months ago
Wow two young promising Bahamians have died and we still turn it political and homosexual. There are a lot of sad individuals here. Condolences to the family and friends of these two, I hope and pray that the Italian police are able to give you the answers needed.
GodSpeed 4 years, 10 months ago
Black people need to be careful in Europe. There are a whole lot of African migrants running around over there and the white folks don't like it. They see you and think you're one of the Africans invading their country.
hnhanna 4 years, 10 months ago
This is a very sad story may their souls R.I.P and we all should wait until all of the facts come out before speculating
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 10 months ago
Two things. John was in a competition that ultimately led to a presentation at a conference in Italy. His friend from high school Alrae is living in Italy knows how to speak the language, how transportation operates, where to go etc etc. It makes it quite reasonable for the two friends to meet up and arrange to travel together to Turin where I'm guessing the conference was.
Just like the Bahamas, Italy, another tourist destination, doesn't want a stain on their record involving danger to a tourist.
Maybe they went to the wrong place like the bahamian who was stabbed in his head in Miami for asking to use the bathroom.
Could they have been pushed into the river by one or more complete strangers?
licks2 4 years, 10 months ago
True. . .but still you don't know. . .we can only go on the released information!! I can say that they were over there to tief one of them world famous Iberico hamon and were caught. . .yinna know how proud of their hamon them Italians are. . .especially if a couple of black fellas them were doing the tiefin!! Not to make light in this serious situation, but to show that speculating according to our own personal bias only serve to confuse things further! There are plenty indicators to go around according to our personal biases . . . you think this AND I THINK THAT AND MUDDER-TAKE-SICK GO WAY OFF THE BEATEN PATH AND SAY THAT ALIENS TOOK AND PROBED THEM THEN BRING THEM AND DUMP THEM IN THE RIVER!! OR SOME STUPIDITY LIKE IF MINNIS WAS NOT SO DUMB, THEY WERE NOT GOING TO GET KILLED!!!
Lets just chill and let the families deal with this tragedy in sensitive respect for thier lost!!
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 10 months ago
I'm posing a separate scenario to the original meant to be scummy one. From what I heard the mother also thinks they were targeted because they were black, so how could thst possibly disrespect her? unlike you who told us to this had to be a secret rendezvous, just "listen to the Italians"
BahamaRed 4 years, 10 months ago
What so because someone doesn't agree with a comment it gets deleted.
That is exactly the lack of freedom of speech that grips the Bahamas. Everyone afraid of offending someone.
If the situation has a homosexual bend then that's what it is. Based on the original article translated from Italian the spin lends to homosexual tendencies.
Who ever doesn't like it... ah well. Stop being so thin skinned.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID