An islander has launched a court battle in Kenya to repatriate her godmother’s body to Jersey, after her remains were held in a mortuary for more than a month after her death.
Carina Joan Reeves has applied to the Malindi High Court seeking immediate intervention over the body of Margaret Christine Bashforth, who died on 30 November 2025 at the Aga Khan Hospital in Malindi.
An autopsy on 3 December 2025 found the cause of death to be myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, and there are no ongoing criminal investigations related to her death.
The 69-year-old British national, who was known as Maggie, lived in Kenya.
According to court papers, Ms Bashforth was unmarried, had no children, and had no known surviving next of kin in the country capable of making burial arrangements.
Ms Reeves wants the court to recognise her as Ms Bashforth’s next of kin for the purposes of cremation and repatriation.
She is also seeking to appoint British national Dawn Marie Whetstone as her authorised representative in Kenya to coordinate all arrangements – including the release of the body, cremation and transportation of the ashes abroad.
In her supporting affidavit, Ms Reeves told the court that Ms Bashforth was her godmother and had played a significant maternal role in her life for many years.
She said “they maintained a close relationship even after the deceased relocated to Kenya, and that the deceased had repeatedly expressed her wishes not to be buried” as she preferred cremation.
Ms Reeves and Ms Whetstone say the continued detention of Ms Bashforth’s remains is “undignified” and must end so she can finally be laid to rest in Jersey.
Through their lawyer Cecil Miller, the applicants are asking the court to order the release of the body from a local mortuary, authorise cremation, and allow the ashes to be repatriated to Jersey.
Court papers name several respondents, including the British High Commission in Nairobi, police authorities in Mombasa and Malindi, and Star Mortuary – where Ms Bashforth’s body is being held.
According to the application, Ms Reeves and Ms Whetstone argue that there is no immediate next of kin present in Kenya who can lawfully make decisions about the deceased’s remains.
As a result, Ms Bashforth’s body has remained in cold storage for weeks, with mortuary fees continuing to mount.
In court submissions, the applicants warn that further delays risk deterioration of the remains and unnecessary financial and emotional strain on the family.
Justice M Thande has certified the case as urgent and directed that the application be served and responses filed before a mention on 22 January.
This article was 1st published on Bailiwick Express
