Daughter struggles to get body of Bridgeport mom back to US from Jamaica

A Bridgeport woman died while on vacation in Jamaica, and her family says they can't get the Jamaican government to return her body to the United States.

News 12 Staff

Oct 2, 2019, 4:52 PM

Updated 1,668 days ago

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A Bridgeport woman died while on vacation in Jamaica, and her family says they can't get the Jamaican government to return her body to the United States.
The daughter of 42-year-old Librea Scott tells News 12 Connecticut she is dealing with the sudden death of her mom and the inability to get her mom's body returned to Connecticut.
Monique Roy, 28, says her mom went to Jamaica on vacation last month and died suddenly and unexpectedly during her visit there -- apparently as a result of longstanding health problems.
Roy says the Jamaican government has an antiquated system for dealing with this type of situation, and even though she traveled to Jamaica herself last week, she has not been able to get the government there to release her mom's remains so she can bring them back to Connecticut.
"It's a very costly process, it's a very tiring process and it's a very frustrating process. I guess they don't do email, they don't do fax," said Roy. "I'm sure money is a factor here. Everyone has their hand out and every day her body sits in that morgue, it's a $50 charge to store her body there."
Sen. Richard Blumenthal says he is working with the U.S. State Department to get the problem solved, but there are many obstacles to overcome.
"The reason that Jamaica is preventing that return of remains seems inexplicable and inexcusable and that's why we are going to fight for Monique and her four brothers and sisters," said Blumenthal.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Scott.
 


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