Distraught family members of an American man who fell from the ninth floor of his beachfront hotel room one week ago are arranging for an independent autopsy to be conducted, as they are still seeking answers as to how he died.
Robert William MacNeil, 44, arrived in The Bahamas last Tuesday from North Carolina to visit his three sons, one of whom was celebrating his 15th birthday, according to MacNeil's brother, David Lindie.
According to Superintendent Paul Rolle, officer in charge of the Central Detective Unit, MacNeil's body was discovered by guests at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort on Cable Beach around 3:25 p.m. on January 30.
While his death was not classified the day after the incident, police believed MacNeil slipped before he fell off the balcony, although they had not ruled out suicide, something Lindie said was beyond understanding.
"[He was] a man who was a born-again Christian, who had everything going for him," Lindie told The Nassau Guardian.
"I can personally assure you that suicide for Bobby was simply out of the question. Our family is unquestionably devastated by the loss and there are far more questions than answers in this case."
However, Rolle said police are now satisfied that the death was accidental.
He confirmed that MacNeil spent last Tuesday on Paradise Island with his three sons, who were travelling with his ex-wife.
MacNeil was found dead less than 24 hours later.
"He shared the day with them... at Paradise Island and he left all of them that evening around 9:30, 10 p.m. and went back to his hotel," Rolle said. "He was there alone."
Rolle added that the matter has been forwarded to the United States Embassy in Nassau and Coroner Linda Virgill.
Lindie said the family could not fathom how MacNeil could have fell from the balcony. He added that the family's frustration is monumental.
He described his brother as a wonderful, happy and caring father. He also said MacNeil had recently made "tremendous strides" in his personal and professional life.
He said the family will continue to search for any information that can uncover the details surrounding MacNeil's death.
"...A happy 44-year-old man does not simply fall from nine stories in his underwear at three in the afternoon," said Lindie.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian