Search intensifies for missing homeless man
Missing man Eral Keith Whitely (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
(CNS): The police were out in force Friday evening with various units, including the helicopter and the K9 unit, as they intensified the search for Eral Keith Whitely (72), who was reported missing on 21 January and last seen several weeks ago in the area around the George Town dump. Whitely was evicted from his home in the Brushy Street area sometime in October and police believe he has been sleeping in abandoned cars since then. The police are now very concerned for his well-being and are urging the public to contact them with any information they may have about the missing homeless man.
Since he was reported missing by family members, the police have learned that Whitely was seen in the area on Christmas Day and again on New Year’s Day. The last sighting of Whiteley was on Seymour Road, also known as Dump Road, almost three weeks ago. Some of his belongings have been found in a derelict vehicle.
RCIPS K9-Unit takes part in the search for the missing man
As a result of their investigations so far, police confirmed that he spent much of his time in the Swamp area, having lived there before being evicted late last year. They began combing the area, including the actual swamp, Friday.
“The last place we know him to have been was sleeping in a car in the area, and he has been sleeping rough in abandoned cars ever since, and he may still be in the area somewhere,” RCIPS spokesperson Jacqueline Carpenter told the media as the search got underway Friday evening.
Police have confirmed that this is a category one missing person case, and they are urging anyone with information to make contact.
Category: Local News
This is so sad and I can’t believe Social Services or NAU cannot help these people. If this country is as should be judged by how they treat the less amount us, what does this say about us. I am in empathy for this man and his family.
Please CI Government especially the MLA for West Bay, can you please look into another similar situation before it is too late and a very serious accident/incident occurs.
There is a mental challenged young man from Birch Tree Hill who is always on the road walking or on a bicycle sometimes until very late at night. He can be seen daily/nightly around the liquor store next to the bakery in Mount Pleasant, most times you can’t see him for the many bundles and bags of garbage he is hauling. Just on Thursday last week I seen him in the same area digging in people’s trash pan, I assume looking for food, it was raining and his only clothing was a too small boxer and his private parts was hanging out.
I called and reported this incident, but the next day I seen him around the seem area a little more clothed but still in an deplorable condition.
Someone, needs to take responsibility for him and if he don’t have family members or are willing or able to attend to him then he needs to be taken into custody of the Government before something serious happens. Ms. Rivers, Capt Eugene, Mr. Burnie and/or Mr McKeeva please look into this matter now before this becomes another tragedy.
His/their home country needs to take responsibility. Just HOW much more are we expected to do???
Why does Cayman not have Shelters for the homeless?
Such a pity to waste money on insignifant spending, yet we have him and many more senior citizens sleeping in the road, abandoned cars and God knows where else.
I just want to say thank you to all the positive comments and info. To this situation. Though we are all entitled to our opinion we aren’t here to pass judgement and play blame games. Yes its unfortunate however the main focus is relaying any info. You can in helping to find him, this isn’t about expats and caymanians, we are sorry and heart broken to know we weren’t aware of his condition leading up to this, though i may not be related by blood he’s like a father to me and when he’s found we will make sure he doesn’t have to go through it alone. Continue to pray for his safe return. Thank you.
Why wouldn’t the Masonic Lodge help? They seem quit adept at getting legal issues of their members swept under rugs and almost every male in our Cabinet is a member, as well as most male Chief Officers and many Heads of Departments. So, a lot of Government presence!
Masonic lodge???? They help the rich. They are the rich. They help each other and the likes of Dart.
CNS what is a Category 1 missing person?
CNS: I don’t know if that was just a way of saying that this is considered very urgent or if the RCIPS has actual categories of missing people. I’ll pass the question onto Auntie.
My question is: What happens when he’s found? Is there some place waiting for him to go to or is it just a matter of knowing where he is?
If the poor man is found
You bet this is a sad state of a fairs.when we were throwing status left right and , did we not think about all what goes along with it
?LIKE WHEN THE PEOPLE START TO AGE .What did we believe would happen to them when they couldn’t take care of themselves?
10.30pm More home grown racism. I’m sure this man (even if not a local), was not queueing up at social services every week seeking a handout like so many of our own senior citizens.
If social services should be helping anyone it should be our elderly.
4.36pm I agree…. but whose elderly should we be helping??? We have many CAYMANIAN elderly that desperately needs help.
Why is this even allowed to happen? No one cares? Nothing available? No support in place?
Just asking
According to the good electorate that is Venezuelan socialism and we will have none of that here
To all those who are concerned. I’m a family member living off island no ome was aware he was evicted and were sleeping in abandoned cars until it was reported a few days ago. Keith senior was use to being alone and sometimes wouldn’t make contact with anyone. I’m also trying to find out the details on what led up to this point.
Family usually keeps an eye on their elderly members even when they prefer to be left alone. To make sure they have food and a shelter.
Though you are entitled to your opinion, just because he was homeless doesn’t mean family didn’t check on him when you are grown and use to doing your own thing sometimes you don’t want to disclose certain info. You don’t have a clue as to the family situation you are just assuming things. his son which happens to be my little brother payed his rent. My brother is now bed ridden due to an illness in which he is unable to walk at this time. Keith senior probably didn’t want us to know he was struggling to so before you run your mouth know that fact.
I was my father’s only child so I understand how difficult it can be. Hopefully, he’ll be found soon. If the family can’t help, hopefully social services will step in.
If he rides an orange kids bike and carries a five gallon paint bucket then I saw him yesterday on Portland rd. If not, then there’s another old guy that looks like him and sleeps on the streets out there.
Plesse call cayman police with this info. It maybe of help. Thank you.
Caymanian?
Jamaican been there since 1972
I’m sorry you have to go through this. May he be found safe.
So why didn’t he return to Jamaica?
You are so ignorant. And have no compassion typical of some caymanian. It makes me angry to see comments like this and I’m caymanian, it can happen to anyone sometimes people fall on hard times. You are no different from people who show discrimination and racism towards. People like you are the reason why this world is gone to shit. Hope you sleep good at night.
Or better yet his family?
What does “category one” mean? What other categories has this missing person situation been sitting at for the last month?
Strange that it should take a month for a search party to get organized. Was there a gov’t shutdown in the Cayman Islands that we didn’t hear about?
if you read carefully it says the missing persons report wasnt reported until 21 days later from the time he was last seen several weeks ago. I wouldnt say the RCIP took a month to get a team ready since they were notified a month late
24/7 365
We have long ignored many of the problems that we face as a society. We have serious issues as it relates to the health and general care of the elderly. Our political class has been aware of the problem for a long time but most have chosen to ignore the issue, deciding instead to focus on securing their own long term benefits.
12.33pm you got that right – they are focusing on the likes of Dart and other forginers wasting their time and giving him everything he/they wants. So sad. While these Islands and its people (Caymanians) suffer in every way.
Why let it get to this point? Why did no one intervene when he lost his home?
Ask his family.
Does he have family?
Again, if you read the report it says he was reported missing from family members.
The Police are now very concerned for his well-being? Who was concerned when he was sleeping in cars? WTF do our social services and multiple other government agencies actually do?
They pay 1200.00 a month rent for lazy ass people. Plus plus light , water food vouchers. Let me stop. I gettin vex
They be paying this too for people not even from our Country! It’s a disgrace.
Basic food, water and a shelter are essential for mere existence anywhere, let alone in rich country as the Cayman Islands.
$10mil airport construction overrun would have provided that to 555 people in need for a year. Elderly and disabled are members of every society and must not be overlooked when rich fat cats cruising the world on a taxpayer dime.
What does his family actually do? The government can’t be responsible for everything! Where are our values ad community spirit?
Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Hope for Today foundation, Churches, and many hundreds of individuals all could and would help if our world class civil service would identify needs. There is no excuse for allowing elderly persons to be spending weeks living in cars.
If his family knew that he was evicted why didn’t they put up with them. We wonder???
The question is , do he have family here ? I know about an expat that was here living the same way with no work but a work permit , so who was his landlord ? And why don’t the police question everyone on brushy lane or whatever it name ,should get a start there , and check immigration of his status on island since no body is saying he is their family . Pray for the best .
Check with Immigration? You are joking, right.
Did he ever have contact with Social Services?, this is a sad state of affairs.