Bosasa Gavin Watson crash

Photo: Inside Politics / Twitter

Gavin Watson: Pathologist concludes he was dead before fatal crash – report

A private pathologist has dropped something resembling a bombshell this weekend. Their findings on Gavin Watson’s death has dispelled a few rumours.

Bosasa Gavin Watson crash

Photo: Inside Politics / Twitter

The infamous former CEO of Bosasa, Gavin Watson, lost his life in a car accident last month. His death fuelled conspiracy theories and even rumours of suicide. However, over the weekend, a private pathologist has put to bed a few of these unsubstantiated claims, suggesting that Watson was deceased before the impact.

How did Gavin Watson die?

As reported by The Citizen, the body didn’t show signs of “significant trauma” after the devastating smash.

The well-known executive, who was facing a mountain of corruption allegations following the State Capture Inquiry, smashed a Toyota Corolla into a concrete pillar while en-route to OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg. The ANC held a memorial service for him a week later, paying tribute to his anti-apartheid activism.

Private pathologist dismisses some conspiracy theories

However, his divisive legacy gave way to the nature of his death in terms of being the main talking point after this incident. Some felt that he may have been murdered, or that the scene itself was staged and Gavin Watson had faked his death in order to escape several pending inquiries. Tall tales, however, don’t hold up against scientific fact. The results have revealed:

  • There wasn’t “much blood” at the scene, despite the nature of the incident.
  • There was no acceleration leading up to the crash, nor did Watson do anything to change course, to prevent his fate.
  • Watson’s heart “may not have been functioning” at the moment of impact.

Gavin Watson – doubts still linger after pathologist report

However, all of these findings are preliminary. There is still room for other results to stir the pot once more. A family member who spoke to the publication anonymously has also suggested that the pathologist’s findings don’t answer some of the burning issues presented by the death of Gavin Watson.

The fact that Watson was heading towards the airport sparked claims that he was trying to flee the country. This has been dismissed by his relatives, who suggest that he had a business engagement at the airport. But with no-one coming forward to admit they were meeting the ex-Bosasa chief, it has left the family “troubled”.

Gavin Watson’s car also crashed on one of the very few stretches of road in Kempton Park not covered by CCTV. The coincidental nature of this detail is tough to ignore, as is the revelation that toxicology tests are still being carried out. It remains possible that Watson may have been poisoned before getting in the car.