The family of Dinari McAlmont, a 23-year-old Maryland man who died during a vacation in the Bahamas, is demanding answers as they claim authorities are withholding critical evidence—and they fear the truth may disappear.
McAlmont was found dead on April 5, just 12 hours after arriving at the luxurious Atlantis Paradise Island Resort with his parents. While Bahamian police ruled his death an accidental drowning, his family insists he was brutally beaten and that key details are being ignored.
“We Haven’t Even Seen His Body”: Family Left in the Dark
Dinari’s mother, Michelle McAlmont, and aunt, Marcelle Bacchus, say they have been denied access to his body and crucial evidence.
- No Viewing Allowed: Despite identifying him via a photo, the family claims they haven’t been permitted to see him in the morgue.
- “Evidence Will Disappear”: Bacchus posted on Facebook, expressing fears that critical proof (like surveillance footage) is being mishandled.
- Name Misspelled: The morgue allegedly misspelled Dinari’s name, delaying the release of his body to a funeral home.
“My sister is so frustrated. She has not seen her son as yet,” Bacchus wrote. “No cameras were allowed in the morgue. The police did not even share a picture publicly. No camera footage until now. We are afraid evidence will disappear.”
What Really Happened to Dinari?
Dinari, a sound engineer from Bowie, Maryland, was on a short getaway with his parents when tragedy struck.
The Last Night
- April 4: The family arrived at Atlantis Resort for a weekend trip.
- After dinner, Dinari told his parents he was going to explore the resort alone.
- Hours later, resort staff came to his parents’ room asking about his whereabouts.
- His location-sharing app had gone offline, prompting a frantic search.
The Shocking Discovery
- Around 1 a.m. on April 5, police contacted Dinari’s parents with a bizarre claim—that he had “spat at someone.” (No further details were given.)
- Shortly after, they were told he was dead, found unresponsive on Paradise Island beach.
Autopsy & Police Response
Bahamian authorities conducted an autopsy, ruling the cause of death as drowning with “no foul play suspected.” However:
- A toxicology report is still pending (to check for drugs/alcohol).
- His mother insists his body showed signs of assault:
- “His face was damaged.”
- “His teeth had froth.”
- “His hair was full of sand.” (Unusual for someone who took great pride in his appearance.)
“This Was No Accident” – Family Demands Transparency
The McAlmonts refuse to accept the drowning explanation and are calling for:
- Full access to security footage from the resort.
- An independent autopsy in the U.S.
- International pressure to ensure a thorough investigation.
Atlantis Resort’s Statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our guests. Our thoughts are with the family. This is an active police investigation, and we are fully cooperating.”
A Growing Pattern?
Dinari’s death follows other suspicious tourist deaths in the Bahamas, including:
- Three Americans who died at Sandals Resort in 2022 (initially ruled as “natural causes,” later found to have carbon monoxide poisoning).
- Multiple reports of violent crimes against tourists in recent years.
What’s Next?
The family is working with U.S. officials, including the FBI and State Department, to push for answers. Meanwhile, they’ve launched a social media campaign (#JusticeForDinari) to keep attention on the case.
“We will not stop until we get the truth,” Bacchus vowed.
How You Can Help
- Share Dinari’s story to keep pressure on authorities.
- Contact representatives to demand U.S. involvement in the investigation.
This is a developing story—follow for updates as the family fights for justice.
Do you think there’s more to Dinari’s death? Should the U.S. government intervene? Sound off in the comments.