by Linda Straker
- Franklyn died at the General Hospital on Sunday, 24 August
- Family awaiting toxicology report
- Dr Mitchell appointed Franklyn to serve as senator
Sixteen days after the death of former Senator Neilon Franklyn, Member of Parliament for St George North-West, Dr Keith Mitchell has called for an independent investigation into the death of the 28-year-old.
Dr Mitchell, during his tenure as Opposition Leader, appointed Franklyn to serve as a senator in the Upper House of Parliament. In a statement disseminated by the main opposition New National Party (NNP) and also posted on Dr Mitchell’s Facebook page, said he was deeply saddened by Franklyn’s tragic passing — a young man of immense promise whom he had the privilege of appointing to the Senate and welcoming into the NNP. “Neilon was not only a colleague but also part of my extended family circle, and his loss is felt profoundly. The confirmation that his death resulted from the consumption of a lethal substance is both alarming and unacceptable.”
The statement said: “In light of this, I call on the Government of Grenada to immediately commission a thorough and independent investigation conducted by a credible agency outside of our jurisdiction so that the circumstances of this tragedy can be fully uncovered.” Dr Mitchell’s statement concluded, “The people of Grenada, and Neilon’s grieving family, deserve nothing less than swift and transparent justice. Those responsible for this act must be held accountable.”
Franklyn died at the General Hospital in St George’s on Sunday, 24 August 2025, after collapsing at his home earlier that day. A private pathologist from another jurisdiction reportedly informed the family that his death was due to ingesting a lethal substance, which shut down all his organs.
The family is awaiting the toxicology report on the death, and police in Grenada have yet to confirm the death is being treated as a homicide.
This bothers me to no end. I do not know him personally and am pretty sure he does not know me, but I liked him a lot as a Senator. He had enormous potential and based on what am hearing was enormously admired. No one can deny that he was one of the best and brightest in Grenada! To go like that, namely, what is reported in the papers is simply sad. My singular course in Toxicology tells that the evidence lies in his tissues and all medical should be preserved until a criminal court decides otherwise. Rest in peace young man. Condolences to the family. Thanks for giving Grenada a shining light.