Sands did not die of natural causes, autopsy reveals

New Zealand man Hamish Sands did not die of natural causes in an Ivory Coast jail, as suggested at the time by the New Force rebels holding him captive.

A recently completed autopsy report, compiled by an independent forensic expert, found nothing to substantiate claims of a natural death but was also unable to determine exactly how the former Hawkes Bay man died.

Mr Sands' family called for a full and thorough investigation into the 36-year-old's death following rumours it may not have been natural. They rejected rumours he may have committed suicide but were concerned by reports of prisoners dying at the hands of their captors.


However, after viewing the autopsy report, the family have asked for nothing further to be said about the circumstances of Mr Sands' death.

In a statement, his sister Catherine Sands-Wearing said: "We have now received a full report on the autopsy performed on Hamish's body ... The report is inconclusive about whether his death was self-inflicted or caused by others.

"The family wishes that nothing further be said publicly about the circumstances of Hamish's death or any other related matters ... We ask to be left alone to grieve for Hamish privately."

Friends of Mr Sands, who was imprisoned on suspicion of being a hired assassin, also found it difficult to accept the idea that he may have killed himself after news was received that he was found dead in his cell on April 4.

Mr Sands is survived by his New Zealand family and two teenage children - one in Australia and one in Sweden.