Senator leads search for missing community activist

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Orden “Passo” David was last seen on Saturday, January 25. (Photo courtesy STRATCOM)
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By Elesha George

[email protected]

The search for 39-year-old LGBTQ activist Orden “Passo” David of Bolans has so far yielded no results after several days of group efforts.

David’s sisters, friends and concerned residents of St Mary’s South joined a search party Monday afternoon to assist in locating the 39-year-old, who has been missing since Saturday, January 25. The search was mobilised by Antigua Barbuda Labour Party Senator Dwayne George who described David as a friend and neighbour.

Senator George had hoped for a positive outcome but at the end of the search on Monday no new information had come to light.

“We’re being optimistic, and we really do want to find our constituent. We grew up together, we went to school together. As they would say, we roll and tumble,” George shared.

Search teams, including his colleagues from David’s workplace, the AIDS Secretariat, scoured areas such as Sandals Resort, Burma, Yeptons, and Bolans.

The Bolans location became a key focus after reports surfaced that two burnt vehicles were discovered near where David’s cellphone last connected to a tower.

“We are just ensuring that we cover all the loopholes and do hope and trust that we go home with some good news this evening,” the senator said optimistically.

David, a resident of Bolans, reportedly left home wearing a red vest and grey short jeans and was last seen driving a black Honda Fit, registration number A60870. His family is deeply worried about his whereabouts, as calls to his mobile phone have gone unanswered.

Reports suggest that he was seen entering his black Honda Fit at Percival’s Gas Station the night he went missing, but it is still unclear in which direction he drove afterwards.

A report of his disappearance was filed with the Bolans Police Station on Sunday, prompting several searches. However, these efforts have so far been unsuccessful.

David, who works as a counselor at the AIDS Secretariat, is well-known for his advocacy for LGBTQ rights. He was instrumental in the landmark 2022 court ruling that declared Antigua and Barbuda’s 1995 Sexual Offences Act unconstitutional, a significant victory for the LGBTQ community.

Anyone with information that could assist in locating David is urged to contact the Bolans Police Station at 462-1080, or the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913.

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