The husband of Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin was found dead with a rope around his neck on Saturday in what police believe was a suicide. While the family of Leon 'Onni' Martin did not point to circumstances surrounding his death, a statement issued said the family is "deeply saddened on learning of his death". "We will miss him dearly," read the statement released yesterday. "The Royal Bahamas Police Force is conducting its investigation and any further comment will be reserved at this time.

"The family is thankful for the kind and compassionate support of friends and family and the wider Bahamian community. "We ask that you continue to keep this family in your prayers." Martin was an accomplished musician and accountant at the firm of A.D. Hanna & Co. for more than 30 years, the statement noted. News of Martin's death was on Facebook by Saturday night with many Bahamians extending condolences to Hanna-Martin. Police later reported that the body of a man was found hanging from a ceiling in an unoccupied building at Yamacraw Beach Road sometime after 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Police did not identify the victim and said they were uncertain of the circumstances surrounding his death. The Martins have three children. Those who knew Martin said he was a quiet man who loved music. "[He was a] wonderful person, and very soft spoken," said musician Obi Pindling. "He never got in anybody's way and he was a very, very talented keyboard player. "I've known him since the late 70s when he used to play with the Sweet Exorcist band.

"After hearing that Glenys got married I had a little time with him." Musician and pastor, Leroy 'Tinkle' Hanna, who knew Martin for 32 years, said his soul "is in sadness". "I was shocked; I was just unable to speak for about 20 minutes after I learned of his passing," Hanna said. "Then I went to my wife and quietly said, 'Onni passed.'" "It's still shock and disbelief, but that is what happens when persons very close to us pass. We're never really quite prepared for passing, even when we know someone is very, very ill."

Hanna, a former member of the 1970s band Sweet Exorcist, described Martin as an underappreciated musician. "For those who don't know, he is one of the real unsung professional musicians in this country. He was tremendously talented and gifted and loved," he said "I think he was at his best when he was playing music. "He was very creative and capable as a keyboardist." Hanna said The Bahamas has lost a tremendously gifted artist. "He was not one of those you heard about like Fred Ferguson...he was one of those people in the background upon whose shoulder many of us who have been better known in the music world stood."

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