AINSWORTH Gayle, a 29 year-old fisherman, bid farewell to his common-law wife on November 19 and climbed aboard the fishing vessel Lady Kimberly for a routine trip to Honduras.

He never returned.

Gayle, of Parotlee, St Elizabeth, died under mysterious circumstances in Honduras on Christmas morning. Now, Gayle's family are clamouring for answers to learn how Gayle died. They want Gayle's body returned to Jamaica for an autopsy and decent burial.

Shernette Myers, Gayle's common-law wife, told the Observer that he had phoned her on December 24 and promised to be home soon. He mentioned that he had quarrelled with his former employer over money that was owned him.

The Lady Kimberly is reportedly owned by Clifford Welcome, a Honduran, who is married to a Jamaican living in St. Elizabeth.

Gayle's sister-in-law, Andrea Gayle, said she talked with a crew member from the Lady Kimberly, who related that Gayle was feeling poorly and sweating profusely at 8:30 am on Christmas Day. The crewman told her that Gayle had asked for a drink of water, but then suddenly fell from his chair, clutching his stomach and foaming from his nose and mouth.

A short time later, Gayle apparently died and was pronounced dead by a local doctor at the scene. Some reports say Gayle had been drinking with fellow crewman when the incident occurred.

Myers said the Lady Kimberly's owner had made some offers about arrangements for Gayle's remains. However, no agreement had apparently been reached. The cost of returning the body would be about US$800.

Eslyn Green, Gayle's mother, complained that she has been unable to make contact with Welcome or other crew members. The family hopes that will change, and that the mystery of Gayle's death will be cleared up.

Gayle also is survived by his three young daughters, three brothers and three sisters.

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