THE father of an American woman, who died along with her husband while on holiday in Fiji last May, says he does not understand why the couple’s final autopsy report has not been released.
Marc Canalog said he also could not understand the delay in the return of his daughter Michelle Paul’s iWatch.
“I want the truth, I want my daughter’s watch back and I want the final autopsy report,” he said during an interview with The Fiji Times.
He also pleaded with the US Embassy to work with Fijian authorities “and get the truth of what happened”.
“Silence really is terrible feedback.”
A few days after the interview, Mr Canalog said he “finally” received a call from the US Embassy that they had nothing to report from the police investigation.
He said he was told the pathologist “is supposed to have emailed me the final autopsy report”.
“Unfortunately, we never received it,” he said.
“I hope the embassy will follow up with them.”
Mr Canalog said while he had not been updated about the investigations conducted by the Fiji police, he was aware that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was on the case.
“On the positive side I hope they are still working on it.
“At least the FBI said that their silence does not mean they are not working.
“Sometimes they mentioned that it takes years to get answers.”
He said the family was trying to cope the best they could despite the lack of information.
“We are almost back to normal but on special days like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and their birthdays, are very tough to experience or face.
“We visit the cemetery quite often and pray for their soul.
“Ayden still has no idea of what happened nor what daddy and mommy means.”
In response to questions from this newspaper, the US Embassy said investigations into the deaths were continuing.
“The US Embassy is continuing to engage with Fijian officials concerning their investigation into the unexplained deaths of David and Michelle Paul,” the embassy said.
“The United States provided assistance to the Government of Fiji, including analysis of samples at US laboratories.
“Due to privacy concerns we cannot share more information at this stage.”
Meanwhile police spokeswoman Savaira Gonedua said the officer engaged in the US couple’s case was on leave and an update on Michelle’s watch would be provided upon his return to duty.
David and Michelle fell violently ill two days after they arrived in Fiji on May 22. Michelle died two days later while David succumbed to the mystery illness on May 27.
The couple share a child, two-year-old Ayden, and David also had two sons and a daughter from previous relationships.
The US couple’s bodies were shipped to Delaware for further tests by expert pathologists 52 days after their passing.
Tests conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and Collaborating Centre and Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory in Australia had ruled out influenza and infectious diseases as causes of death.
