Serge Gravel, 60, a Canadian retiree who relocated to Jacó, on the central Pacific coast in January of this year, was found dead this week. Strangely, despite finding three bullet wounds in Mr. Gravel's body, the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) has concluded that the Canadian died of suicide.
COMMENT: Unfortunately for Costa Rica's mushrooming expatriate community, the OIJ has a history of rendering very hasty conclusions not only to suspicious deaths. Additionally, five expatriates have also disappeared in Costa Rica without a trace since 2009.
To the detriment of the Gravel family, the OIJ has cited no forensic evidence to support its conclusion that the Canadian died from his own hand.
This report will be updated as new information becomes available.
Although retiring and living in Costa Rica can be a truly satisfying experience, the ineffectiveness of Costa Rica's police system is one factor that can put a damper on the lifestyle, particularly in light of the country's increasing level of violent crime, as demonstrated by Mr. Gravel's poorly concluded suspicious death investigation.
Jacó is a coastal city in the county of Garabito in Costa Rica's Puntarenas province. Jacó is approximately one hour by car from the capital of San José and Costa Rica's International Airport (SJO).
Manuel Antonio National Park is located just one hour South of Jacó. The town has a population of approximately. 10,000 residents, many of whom are expatriates.
Manuel Antonio National Park is located just one hour South of Jacó. The town has a population of approximately. 10,000 residents, many of whom are expatriates.
