Family Rejects Balcony Fall Explanation, Demands CCTV Footage as Five People, Including Hotel Staff, Face Police Questioning

Tension gripped Eagle Island Estate in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday after a young man identified simply as Charles was found dead at a hotel, prompting police to seal the premises as investigations got underway.

The circumstances surrounding Charles’ death remain unclear, with his family rejecting an explanation that he fell from the balcony of a two-storey building located behind the hotel.

The development triggered a confrontation at the hotel after relatives and friends arrived at the facility early Thursday demanding answers from the management and requesting access to the hotel’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.

The family’s concerns reportedly intensified after they visited the scene and said they did not see anything that, in their view, clearly indicated that Charles had died from a fall.

Instead, they alleged that the area appeared disturbed and showed possible signs of a struggle. They also claimed that traces of blood were found at the scene.

Charles’ elder brother, Obomate, said the family received the news of the death at about 5 a.m. on Thursday.

According to him, his younger sister initially received photographs and information informing the family that Charles had died.

Obomate said the family was subsequently told that Charles had fallen from the balcony of a two-storey building behind the hotel.

However, he said the family became suspicious after visiting the location.

“We went there and we did not see anything that suggested he fell from the balcony,” Obomate said, according to accounts of the incident.

He alleged that there were indications that a confrontation might have occurred at the scene and claimed that bloodstains were visible.

The family’s concerns reportedly deepened when they arrived at the hospital where Charles had been taken.

Obomate alleged that a doctor who examined Charles’ injuries told the family that some of them did not appear consistent with an ordinary fall.

He claimed the doctor observed an injury around Charles’ stomach that appeared similar to a deep stab wound and also suspected that he may have sustained an injury around the neck.

Other injuries were also reportedly observed on the deceased’s body.

The family has therefore called for a thorough investigation, insisting that the circumstances surrounding Charles’ death must be established and that anyone responsible, if foul play is confirmed, should be brought to justice.

The relatives also continued to demand access to the hotel’s CCTV recordings, which they believe could help clarify what happened before Charles’ death.

As the situation became increasingly tense, officers from the Azikiwe Police Division reportedly responded to a distress call and arrived at the hotel to restore order.

Police subsequently sealed the premises and directed guests and other occupants to leave temporarily.

A source familiar with the development, who requested anonymity, said the decision to shut the hotel could help preserve the scene, prevent possible interference with evidence and avert further confrontation between the family and those at the facility.

The source added that the family remained at the premises, continuing to demand answers and access to the CCTV footage even after the hotel was closed.

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing.

Police spokesperson Blessing Agabe said Charles was initially taken to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

She explained that his relatives and friends later brought his remains back to the hotel while demanding an explanation about the circumstances of his death.

According to her, police officers intervened when the situation became tense.

Agabe also disclosed that about five people were being questioned in connection with the incident.

Those being interviewed reportedly include people who were with Charles on the previous night as well as some hotel employees.

She confirmed that the hotel had been sealed while investigators worked to establish both the immediate circumstances and the underlying events that led to Charles’ death.

Charles’ remains have since been taken away by the police and deposited at an undisclosed mortuary.

The police investigation is expected to establish whether Charles died as a result of an accidental fall, as initially claimed, or whether other circumstances were involved.

Authorities have yet to publicly determine the cause of death, while the family continues to demand answers and a full investigation into the young man’s final moments.