Not many details were revealed about the circumstances of Gario’s death, and I imagine we will never know for sure whether he killed himself out of remorse and regret, or because he was looking for a way out of his troublesome brush with the authorities, as he was defending himself against allegations of sexual abuse, made by his own daughter, at the time barely 16.
The complaint was lodged a few years ago. Lady Justice is slow in Aruba.
I believe Gario had eight children, with multiple partners, and perhaps his suicide indicates he assumed responsibility for his alleged deeds, or maybe his suicide indicates he denies all responsibility, and by taking his own life, avoids the confrontation.
But it is disturbing that a man in custody, presumably under guard/watch, was left alone long enough to not just attempt, but succeed in killing himself. Was the Jeffrey Epstein story retold in Aruba?
Did he have help?
Early on, Gario turned community-organizer of sorts, for whoever courted AVP voters in San Nicholas, where Gario considered himself Sheriff.
I did lecture him when we occasionally met, that while he was getting old, his companions were getting exponentially younger, but he always counterattacked stating I was jealous, and the nymphs were of appropriate age. He always explained he was helping the kids; they were homeless and neglected and he is providing adult guidance for the elves.
I was never quite sure about that.
As a musician, we adored Gario and his band, Le Groove, and I thank him for many J’ouvert Mornings, where I trailed behind his band shuffling happily down the streets, in the dead of night, at the opening festivities of Carnival. He was flashy and crude, a human peacock. His music, the real Caribbean deal.
May he rest in peace. The music will go on, with one of his musician sons.
