Merciless’ sudden death under probe

Tuesday’s passing of well-known dancehall entertainer Merciless, which has shocked the entertainment industry, is being investigated as a sudden death case.

The artiste, christened Leonardo Bartley, was found unresponsive at a motel on Walker Avenue in Kingston.

Commander for the St Andrew Central Police Division, Superintendent Marlon Nesbeth, said that law enforcers were summoned to the establishment about 5:30 p.m.

Merciless was reportedly found lying face down on the ground.

“He appeared dead, and from all indications, it’s a case of sudden death, and that is how it is being investigated,” he said.

Nesbeth was unable to say if the police had found anything suspicious in the room.

Merciless was discovered by his friend and driver, Kevin Thomas, who had gone looking for him.

According to Thomas, who was visibly shaken up and struggled to speak, he last spoke to the deejay on Monday night. At that time, the entertainer had reportedly complained of feeling unwell.

However, he said that Merciless had promised to visit him on Tuesday but never left his room after he last checked in about midnight on Monday.

Thomas said Merciless had been staying at the motel for the last two weeks and had been recording at a nearby studio.

Born and raised in Turner district, Chapelton, Clarendon, Merciless is known for hits including Old Gallis, Gal Gizada, and Momma Cooking, an ode to his mother’s culinary skills.