The family of a US tourist found deceased during a vacation is intending to have his body returned home to undergo a secondary examination as they suspect foul play in his death, despite assertions from authorities that he perished due to drowning.
Dinari McAlmont, 23, from Maryland, was discovered on the shore of Paradise Island in the Bahamas on Saturday, April 5.
Although officials have determined drowning as the cause of death and dismissed any suspicion of foul play, the family insists that the tourist was assaulted during a prior incident and is eager to uncover the truth.
They began searching for him after he went missing just hours into a trip while staying at the luxury Atlantis Paradise Island resort.
He was last seen around 11 pm local time on Friday, April 4, after earlier having dinner with his family, according to Fox affiliate WTTG-TV.
He told his parents he was going to grab a coat but never returned and was later found dead at 5.30 am on Saturday.
During the early hours of the morning, around 2 am to 3 am, law enforcement officers purportedly visited the family’s lodging, claiming that the deceased had been in a confrontation and had reportedly behaved inappropriately towards the hotel staff, according to his mother.
His parents claimed to not know anything about the alleged incident and were later told he was found dead.
A post-mortem was performed which ruled he had drowned but his family is disputing the cause of death.
McAlmont’s aunt, Marcelle Bacchus-McPherson, told The U.S. Sun this week that they have demanded a second autopsy.
She said: “There will be another autopsy in the USA before his funeral.
“His parents are still in the Bahamas. The American consulate over there is working with them.
FAMILY’S ANGUISH
“The result of the last one, drowning, is not conclusive for us. Who took him to the beach at midnight? Explain the events leading up. And the bruises.”
McAlmont’s mother, Michelle, only saw her son in a photo when officials showed her an image of his “beaten” body, she told a local media outlet.
After police ruled out foul play and claimed he drowned, she said, “I’m not accepting that, because there is no way Dinari would have gone to the beach.
“Dinari does not go to the beach. We just came from Punta Cana in January. He did not go to the beach. He is not a beach person.
“And I told the police that on day one, if you tell me that my son was at the pool I’d say, okay, but if you tell me he’s at the beach, it means somebody beat him and took him there.”
The family’s legal counsel, Keith Seymour Sr, has also slammed the police and the investigation, which is still ongoing.
“When one looks at the press release that was done by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, it seems very inconclusive and very unprofessional,” Mr Seymour said.
He took issue with what he described as premature conclusions.
Mr Seymour continued, “It indicates a post-mortem was performed, and the pathologist’s findings revealed that the deceased died as a result of drowning. Further, police are waiting on a forensic toxicology analysis.
“Yet, you’re going to say in the next line that foul play is not suspected—without even investigating, without even finding out the circumstances, without even reviewing footage of cameras around the Atlantis property.”
He added, “What should have been said in this report is that everything is inconclusive.
“We cannot conclude whether or not, in fact, he died as a result of drowning. Obviously, there are circumstances surrounding why he ended up on the beach that need to be answered.”
RAISING MONEY
Royal Bahamas Police confirmed McAlmont had arrived on the island on April 4 with family members.
They said, “A post-mortem examination was performed, and the pathologist’s findings revealed that the deceased died as a result of drowning.
“Further, police are still awaiting the forensic toxicology analysis, and investigations are ongoing.
“That said, foul play is not suspected at this time. The matter will be forwarded to His Majesty’s Coroner.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out for further comment on the family’s claims regarding the events before his death.
McAlmont’s family has now launched a GoFundMe page for donations in their pursuit of justice.
FULL STATEMENT FROM BAHAMAS RELEASE
UPDATE ON DEATH INVESTIGATION:
Police wish to inform the public that the male body who was found unresponsive on a beach on Paradise Island was officially identified as a 23-year-old Mr. Dinari McAlmont of Bowie, Maryland, USA.
Mr. McAlmont arrived in the Bahamas on Friday, April 4, 2025, along with other family members.
A post-mortem examination was performed, and the pathologist’s findings revealed that the deceased died as a result of drowning.
Further, police are still awaiting the forensic toxicology analysis, and investigations are ongoing.
That said, foul play is not suspected at this time.
The matter will be forwarded to His Majesty’s Coroner.
In a statement, they said, “I’m writing this with a heavy heart following the tragic loss of our beloved Dinari, who was senselessly killed. Our family is shattered, and we are determined to honor his memory by seeking justice on his behalf.
“This GoFundMe campaign is set up to support our legal efforts and advocacy work as we pursue accountability and aim to prevent such a tragedy from happening to anyone else.
“Your generous contribution will help cover the mounting expenses of legal fees, investigations, and other essential costs needed to make our case heard.”
The family also described McAlmont as being a “kind, compassionate person who touched the lives of many.”
