Caymanian killed in Panama jail house ‘accident’

| 21/08/2014

(CNS): The family of a local man killed in a Panama jail have hired a lawyer to look into the circumstances surrounding his death. Mark Bodden, who had been arrested in Panama on drug charges in 2011, was expected to return home to the Cayman Islands later this year but UK officials confirmed that he died on Monday afternoon. Bodden’s family told the local television news that they understood that the 37-year-old man had ‘fallen from his bunk’, lay bleeding after hitting his head on the floor, and then suffered several seizures before medics arrived hours after the alleged accident.

The British Embassy in Panama had notified the Cayman authorities of Bodden’s death but the circumstances had not been confirmed. The deputy governor said they were advised by the family that it was said to be accidental.

“We are now awaiting the results of the prison and police investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” he said in a statement.

Bodden’s family, who is now working to bring his body back to Cayman, told Cayman 27 they have hired a lawyer to find out exactly what happened to their loved one. 

At some point during his time in the Panama prison Bodden had access to a smart phone and posted pictures of the conditions inside the Central American jail on his Facebook page.

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  1. Anonyanmous says:

    Mark everyone knew you were a good soul, who some how got caught up on the wrong road. Although you made a mistake you tried your best to move forward amidst all the pain.  You did not give up hope or your ability to be friendly and polite a true Caymanian quality that came thru even in the worst of times and circumstances.

    Thank you Dr. Porter for your account of what happened and the assistance you provided to Mark.

    http://www.illegalinlajoya.com/styled-15/styled-20/index.html

     

  2. Anonymous says:

    Jus remember 2 all the ppl talkin bad about mark if u dont have kids remember u might in the future hopefully they dont make these mistakes bcuz if they do I hope every1 says the same about ur kid he wasnt a kid but he is sum1 child remember that wen u post shit

  3. Justice is blind says:

    Jeesus..I wish George Bush or Dick Cheney had fallen on their heads. Their crimes were much worse.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Mark used to work at Andro. He was a crazy guy. Great pool player.

    • Anonymous says:

      And repeat drug offender.  The repeat drug offender is more important than his ability to call shots in 9 ball.

      • Anonyanmous says:

        In reply to 12:11 23/08/2014 

        His only repeat offense was being gulliable and down right stupid for those who mastered the art of using him as bait.  If he had the same ability to keep away from "baiters" as he did calling shots in 9 ball he would still be alive today.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Those South and Central American prisons look worse than the depths of Mount Trashmore itself. This should against human rights.

  6. Anonymous says:

    the fact of a fall being the "real" reason for the death is second to the fact that he needed medical attention for hours and did not receive it, which ultimatey caused his death.  he would perhaps be in  a panama hospital today helaing a concussion had he received medical attention sooner. 

  7. Anonyanmous says:

    Gone too soon Mark, RIP you will remain alive in the hearts of your many family and "true" good friends….

  8. Anonyanmous says:

    My condolences to the family of Mark, may his soul rest in peace and the truth be exposed. There are just too many things that do not add up, an investigation is needed.

    • Add up? says:

      Yeah, doesn't add up how a guy who had a good job at Andro was running drugs to Panama?  The problem with Cayman is that we sugarcoat our bad boys when we should be appalled. 

      • Anonyanmous says:

        Beat me on how anyone would want to run drugs to Panama as it's a buyers paradise over there and cheap too. Not to be funny but a former leader of that country was jailed in Flordia for drug running and money laundering, as a matter of fact he is now in prision in Panama after serving time in France after completing his sentence in the USA.  Just does not sound right it must be the other way around.  No one is sugar coating his action he did his time and no one is here protesting that.  He did his time and was about to be released when suddenly he fell off the bed hit his head and died (da!) I am appalled by this. We don't sugar coat our "bad" boys as you would believe but we are a caring society that do not turn our backs on our people when they make a mistake we chastise them and bring them back into our folds and love them no matter what, this is what make us "Caymanians" a special and loving race to each other and you can't change that. You should worry about all those people that get on here blogging about legalizing ganja a gateway drug which leads to the destruction of our young people.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Sorry to sound callous, but he would still be alive today if he didn't get involved with drugs in the first place. You reap what you sow.

    • Anonymous says:

      Really!? A guy just passed, the community is mourning and the best you have is some cave man captain obvious comment.

    • Anonymous says:

      Mark Bodden, who had been arrested in Panama on drug charges in 2011.  Exactly ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES!!! Where I am sorry for his family on what happened, nevertheless he was arrested on drug charges!!! When you play you pay and unfortuntaely he paid with his life.  Iam sure it wasn't because he was using!!! Once you decide to sell, transport drugs, you deserve no remorse.  You are what they call a DRUG dEALER!!!!

      • Anonymous says:

        Damn 1 strike and your out kind of guy. Hope it never backfire this logic of yours. 

        #noonedeservesdeathdouchebag

      • Anonyanmous says:

        Poster 06:08 22/08/2014 Mark was arrested in Panama in 2011 this is a know fact, it's also fact that he paid his dues by incarceration.  He transgressed against the laws of a country and society by being in possession of drugs and this is wrong but he was punished, for you to be so cold and callus on the death of someone who paid for his crime in a very harsh prison, is truly heartless. You sound as if you are very happy that he died, to you I say as Jesus said, "he who is without sin cast the first stone." RIP Mark and I hope that you have the time that to ask the Lord for his forgiveness and like the convict that was crucified with Christ on the cross, "Jesus" said "Today you will be with me in paradise".  Mark, I hope that Jesus received you also and it matters not to him that you were a drug dealer.  To all the self righteous and perfect people who are so quick to prounounce judgment on Mark know that he paid his price and his journey is over, you know not what lie ahead for you and yours so always try to say and live in the comfort that but by the grace of God there goes me and mine.  

      • Anonymous says:

        Oh please, yes he paid the price, but how many lives did he ruin by selling drugs??? He wasn't a kid, he was a grown man damn well knew what he is doing.  Sorry I have no symphathy!!! and as far as Jesus and God, really???? where are they when children are being abused, where are they when innocent people get killed????  Explain that???? Thats the problem with religion, anytime something bad happens everyone gets saved or starts quoting the bible!!!

        • Anonyanmous says:

          Yes he paid the price….. the ultimate price at that.  People young and old make mistakes everyday.  I don't and won't make any apologies for him but I know that he regretted every moment for that he has my sympathies.  Jesus is the same and his love for us never change one day you will come to that realization.  I pray that none of your children if you have or family member will ever find themselves in such a situation.  

        • Anonymous says:

          I hope the good Lord above has more sympathy for you and your family on the day of reckoning! Because by the sounds of it YOU NEED JESUS!! I am sure you are NOT without sin!!

           

    • Butterfly says:

      Wow thats cold! We all make mistakes, probably even you, but just happen to get away with it, which he did not.  He did the crime and was doing his time.  Mark was a good soul who got thrown off his path. 

    • Anonyanmous says:

      Callous it is but a true statement, he knew better and was taught to do the right things but getting involved and running with the wrong crowd will always end in some kind of trouble and in his case it led to his death. Mark was the type of person who lived to please his friend and could not see the evil in some of his friends.  Yes, you are so right to say if he had stay away from "bad" company and drugs he would not have ended up in a hell hole prison and dead far too soon. He harvested the crop that was planted and nurtured by "false friends" if you have children it might do you well to warn them away from false friend with these world "A honest enemy is better than a false friend, when in doubt, pay more attention to what people do than what they say.  Actions not only speak louder than words, they are more difficult to fake." There is also another side to "you reap what you sow" and I will leave you with a quote from Confucius "When you see a good person, think of becoming like him/her. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points."

    • j Rankine says:

      he diding need to go like that dam them this is not over i will help my family get to the bottom of this.i will miss him a lot.and dam those who are responsible.god bless him one love mark. i am going to be a daddy if i have a son hes name will be mark. have a nice day 

       

  10. Anonymous says:

    Ok when something happens abroad the person was treated "like an animal with no human rights". What about when something inhumane happens in these islands? Do we get any human rights here when it comes to bad treatment from RCIP who have no cameras on their vehicles or station to prove it was a violation of human rights? ANSWER THAT ONE EH!

  11. Anonymous says:

    To  10:47

     

    Where the hell do you think he was Northward?? No sweet heart he was in a Central American prision for coke.  And Panama wont be paying out no compensation for a foreign prisoner held for COKE! Live by the sword die by the sword.

     

    • Anonyanmous says:

      12:22 Not because he was in prison devoids him of his human rights, unfortunately for him he paid the ultimate price in having to die in a horrible prison in a most unfortunate way after almost completing his sentence for his mistake.  Let us see what the investigation reveals before you jump to conclude that Panama won't be paying out compensation. The sword that he lived by was being too gulliable and going all out for so called friends and drinking far too much, yes he died by that very sword, he took what ever he knew to his grave saving far too many and condeming himself to an early grave.  I pray that you won't have to endure a smiliar pain as his family or his fate because you know the other adage 'what goes around comes around" don't rejoice so much your turn might be right on the horizion.

  12. Anonymous says:

    This sounds horribly like the old 'slipped in the shower' excuse. My condolences to his family, I hope they discover the truth.

     

  13. ReAlDeAl says:

    Something just does not sound right or add up!…I hardly believe falling from a bunk bed could cause death of this sort, especially since we are not talking stories from a building here! It’s a natural instinct to protect your head and put your arms out for security. The family of Mark Bodden, I hope they really look into this and receive compensation as it is ridiculous he did not receive attention for hours after the incident was reported. He was treated like an animal and not a human being with rights! My condolences to the family and friends of Mark and may he rest in peace.

     

     

    • Cimboco says:

      What about the human rights of Caymanians IN Cayman Islands! Treatment by RCIP and they get away with it everyday!

      • Anonymous says:

        Oh please! Criminals have more rights than law abiding residents. 

        • Anonymous says:

          Technically your wrong , but I get the effect your going for 🙂 

        • Anonymous says:

          Perhaps in Canada they do.  You can come out of a jail sentence with a law degree all for free!

      • Anonymous says:

        ….well hopefully this will raise some awareness for local human rights.  Perhaps Mark's death will not be completely in vain.