UPDATE: Decomposing body of senior citizen found in La Plaine

James Bruney

The decomposing body of a senior citizen was found in La Plaine on Tuesday, the police have confirmed.

He has been identified as 81-year-old James Bruney.

Police PRO Inspector John Carbon said Bruney, who lived alone, was found around 10:00 am after neighbours became suspicious.

It is reported that the senior citizen was last seen alive two days prior to the discovery of his body.

The police said the body was in a mild state of decomposition and he was pronounced dead by the district medical officer.

No foul play is suspected.

A post-mortem and coroner’s inquest will be convened to determine the exact cause of death.

Close relatives who told DNO that Bruney was an accountant by profession, said he was at one stage the acting manager of the then Dominica Banana Growers Association ((DBGA).

Bruney is said to have played a role in changing the structure of the association to facilitate more involvement of local farmers in the organization.

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49 Comments

  1. (.) (.)
    July 5, 2012

    Bondiere Dominicans, please ease off nah man. Stop being too quick to point fingers. The man loved his independence and his privacy.He lived alone and died in his house.

  2. Bro Doks
    July 5, 2012

    I know JP personally and I know that he was the kind of person who always wanted his privacy. He greeted others and even visited some neighbours and community members from time to time, but generally, he kept to himself. So, to those of you who are not from La Plaine and did not know JP, please ease up on the judgement. Sometimes, it’s really best to keep quiet if you don’t know a case. RIP JP.

    • L.A. Bruney
      July 6, 2012

      I could not have said it any better myself!

  3. caring person
    July 5, 2012

    what a sad news. It hurts to know that JP died like that.
    He was fun to be around. Why did the yes u care program not take care of him? That is so sad in Dominica……………………… Where were his children when he needed them.The bible says to ” honour your mother & father” that is so poor. Anyhow we love u JP ————Rest in peace

  4. Anonymous
    July 5, 2012

    He was dead for two days. Where was his family or neighbor?

  5. Anonymous
    July 5, 2012

    Please do not be so fast to judge. My dear uncle wanted to live alone. He had family who cared about him, wanted to give him help but that’s what he wanted. We will miss u Scout. Rest in peace eternally.

  6. July 4, 2012

    This is another example of how little we care for each other, even if that person is the closest person in our lives.

    It is about Me, Myself, and I, first and foremost, and by the time we try to even listen the other person, it much too late.

    I can only hope that James Bruney has gone to his grave with a soul that Jesus will call back to Light the stature of Love, which is Life, on the Day of the resurrection of the saved souls.

    • Jayson
      July 5, 2012

      Why can’t we look on it as a case of a man who was of age (but fairly active) who kept very much to himself in later life.

      He respected people’s privacy and so he expected people to respect his privacy in return.

      He lived by himself so he died alone. Why try to make it look like his neighbours didn’t care? They just respected the man’s way of life.

      • Justice and Truth
        July 6, 2012

        @ Jayson

        A lot of this occurs in a big country.

    • Malgraysa
      July 5, 2012

      Oh how righteous the righteous have become! The beams in their eyes have turned into planks, blotting out their view of anything but the hallowed views that exist in their minds only . Totally blinkered to reality they pass instant judgements, guided by their sole right to morality. Hogwash!Climb down from that pedestal of piety, embrace life as it really is, humble yourself, don’t be judgemental. You’ll be a better person for it and society will appreciate you the more for it.

    • GgggggGunit
      July 5, 2012

      so quick to judge…judgement is for the almighty..I doubt you’re him/her!

  7. Justice and Truth
    July 4, 2012

    May his soul rest in peace. At his age, someone as a neighbor could have checked on him. Generally daily calls could have been made in the morning and in the evening to ensure that he was alright. If this was done regularly and there was no answer, then the person could have gone to the home to check on him.
    On the other hand, no one is to be blamed. People like to be independent and sometimes want to be left alone. They do not want to be treated as babies; children.
    My heartfelt sympathy to his family. The Lord is with you. May you feel his presence of consolation. God bless!

  8. fil
    July 4, 2012

    Mr. Bruney I’am so sorry the way you were found
    I know you did not die alone the Almighty never abandones his children. He was an elderly man his
    neighbors should have check on him if he was’nt
    seen in two days. May you RIP Sir.

  9. prhmmm
    July 4, 2012

    this man should be a part of the’ yes we can’ program or sumting if he played his part in his times then i think he had deserved a better reward…. :-?

    • Bro Doks
      July 5, 2012

      JP was an active man. He was witty and happy. He did not want nor need any “yes we care” programme. Why is it that we have to think that once someone is a senior citizen, that person is an invalid?

    • GgggggGunit
      July 5, 2012

      holier than thou attitude..things happen ..shait man…the man was independent…two days is not that long to give a person their space..clearly it didnt take weeks because YES the community cared and after a respectful 2 days they investigated his absense…cannot stand DA people with their quick to judge and always think they know and would have done better!

  10. Soo nosey
    July 4, 2012

    De man die all alone. Where was his family? That couldn’t have someone live with the man. They had an old man living by himself. That ain’t right. That’s a real sad way to go. Probably he got a heart attack or stroke and no body there to help him. If allu care about allu families take them to live with you of find someone to check on the everyday.

    • Prince
      July 4, 2012

      But I know this elderly gentleman who is 100 and lives alone. His children have begged him to move in them and he refuses. He wants his independence.

      My grandmother is 90 years old and sleeps in the house alone. She has a helper during the day, but she is doing well by herself.

    • Think First
      July 4, 2012

      @ Soo nosey..You know so little about this gentleman yet you automatically judge. “Di Scout” as he is called by we who knew him best, was and will always be one of the most independent, influencial, compassionate and educated individuals to be born on the island. In his days as a working man he helped changed the farming industry for many farmers and excelled as one of Dominica’s go-to Accountants. His lifestyle and understanding of the concept of living from the land was one of his most cherished beliefs. Thus, his independence to live on his own, plant and sell his provisions and coexists with nature was and will always be a part of his heart. Even with all of life’s struggles you will always find someone who will talk about the fun times spent with him and the jokes they would share. Friends will not forget the box of provisions and fruits they would find at their door step in the mornings that would signify that Di Scout was here. Lol lol lol. Family and friends will truly miss the fun conversations and helpful hands of Mr. Bruney. His humor was one of a kind. R.I.P Scout … Do enjoy that big camp in the sky…I hope to have your energy and vigor at 81. We miss and will always love you.

    • Malatete
      July 4, 2012

      Don’t be too hasty in your judgement. Maybe this gentleman preferred his own company.

    • justme
      July 4, 2012

      You people just talk from the hip. I am old I live alone and I dont want anyone living with me. If you find me decomposing, bury me if you want, I have lived my life; but dont go blaming my family for that. Stupid comments!

      • TeteMorne I from...
        July 22, 2012

        lol

    • Matin DePorres
      July 4, 2012

      @ Soo nosey :twisted: The family is grieving and that is best thing you find to come and write here! You DAMN rude and out of place eh!!!!

      You have no idea what the man situation was, whether he was loved or hated.

      Well, Mr. Bruney lived alone because he wanted to and he could. He was able to walk, talk, write and cook for himself. He was not a shut in or invalid and was of very sound mind.

      He most possibly died of natural causes and the fact that he was not found until two days later means just that. At the time of his death he showed no signs nor did he complained of any illness.

      When people die, irrespective of the circumstances surrounding their death, a family grieves for this person. Offer your support and stop trying to be so negative and insulting.

      He lived a long life, may his soul rest in peace and his family find comfort.

    • Anonymous
      July 5, 2012

      easy to say, some of these elders perfer to live by themselves though…i have personal experiences in my family…and this is no way means, we dont care…

    • Anonymous
      July 5, 2012

      the man is at age he wanted to livealone so alu so , i think sometime alu wait something to happen to blame ple relax the 81 god sake may j his soul resting peace

    • GgggggGunit
      July 5, 2012

      you too f’in fast…i fine…who tell u de man needed assistance…so if it was a 29 yr old had a heart attack in their flat, condo, apt, you’d say wheres the family…damn judgementalist…gaday zafew!

  11. L.A. Bruney
    July 4, 2012

    Rest in Peace Uncle JP. So sad that’s the way you were found. Hope you went peacefully.

  12. lee
    July 4, 2012

    I’am not blaming no one the way he was found in a
    decompose state. If I have a neighbor living alone and did not see him for one or two days I would go to his house and check on him.

    • Think First
      July 4, 2012

      @Lee….They did, but no answer at his door is no cause for concern as he spends most of his time in his garden and he’s always on the move.

    • Mahaut
      July 5, 2012

      And that’s what was done

  13. hmhmhm
    July 4, 2012

    Which JP, Is it the one that is part of those zarbeaus??

    • LAB
      July 4, 2012

      That’s the one

    • Anonymous
      July 4, 2012

      yes, that’s the one

  14. Ma Toepi
    July 4, 2012

    RIP Mr Bruney,ihad some great laughs with you .

  15. vivian hussey
    July 3, 2012

    may the old scout rest in peace was a very close old friend and will be missed

  16. poe-ki-toe
    July 3, 2012

    hmm i hope it isnt another case of a satanic ritual gone wrong???? but i also hope that this person is quickly identified and can be laid to rest

    • warma
      July 4, 2012

      I think i’ll be the bearer of bad news to you – you’re an idiot. didn’t DNO just tell you who it is? yet you hope that the dead person is quickly identified? would you have preferred the body to be identified BEFORE he died? IDIOT!

    • Justice and Truth
      July 4, 2012

      poe-ki-toe, so silly and insensitive. Hope it does not happen to you. :twisted: :twisted:

    • BIL
      July 5, 2012

      poe-ki-toe, what world are you from? Satanic ritual? I guess that this is how TV has warped your mind…

    • claire
      July 8, 2012

      fool

  17. aqnn
    July 3, 2012

    So no one reported him missing? How comes by the time the body was found, it was already decomposed?

    • Prince
      July 4, 2012

      In that heat, a body will start decomposing within hours.

    • Malgraysa
      July 4, 2012

      Remember, before we had refrigeration people had to be buried same afternoon if they died early in the morning. Funeral homes, morgues and transport changed all that.

      • Justice and Truth
        July 4, 2012

        @ Malgrasa

        I went to a few such funerals. There are times a lot of ice would be placed under the bed to keep the body from inflating. I recall a young person who died then and this was what was done.

  18. FLORIDA
    July 3, 2012

    Did this person have any relatives no one missed him, until now. That is awful!

    • GgggggGunit
      July 5, 2012

      DARN fool…you have no respect for the man right to live alone…idiot!

    • hmmmmmmmr
      July 5, 2012

      before making judgements u need to know the knid of person jp was….

  19. July 3, 2012

    R.I.P uncle JP..SO SAD…

  20. SilentR
    July 3, 2012

    What happen there!!

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