Loved ones of a Florida man who police say died in an accidental drowning are pushing for a further investigation.
According to CBS 12, on the night of March 11, 2021, Calvin Berry, a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service for over 30 years, went to his garage around midnight to “check something,” but never returned.
His wife, Althea Berry, reported him missing and said he took medication to help him sleep. A few days later, police received a call about his body being found in a canal behind his Port St. Lucie residence.
While his death was labeled an accidental drowning, his family believes that foul play was involved.
Loved ones said that the initial investigation by the Port St. Lucie Police Department was insufficient, ABC 25 reports. In response, police department leaders said they would conduct a new review of the case.
His twin sister, however, said a thorough investigation never happened.
“I suspect foul play,” Dornett Mullings told the CBS 12 I-Team. “But the only way we can find out is for a thorough, methodical, meticulous investigation. We have not had that.”
The autopsy indicated that Calvin’s death was exacerbated by diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl. Toxicology results revealed 7.22 milligrams per liter of diphenhydramine in Calvin’s blood, a level significantly higher than typical use.
Investigators reportedly concluded that Calvin likely “accidentally” consumed more than a dozen Benadryl pills, became disoriented, and then wandered into the canal and drowned.
At Dornett Mullings’ request, former Medical Examiner for Broward and Miami-Dade Counties and forensic pathologist, Dr. Ronald K. Wright, reviewed the autopsy and police report.
Based on his experience, he believes the medical examiner made an error in Calvin’s case.
“The one thing this is not, is an accident,” Dr. Wright told the I-Team.
Wright said that no one could “accidentally” ingest as much Benadryl as Calvin had in his system, suggesting either suicide or foul play.
Dr. Wright added that it’s possible – even likely – that Calvin was placed in the canal after death, since there was no presence of liquid in the sphenoid sinus.
“It’s undetermined. That’s what I would have classified it as. This is a case where I don’t think anybody was that interested in looking into the questions.”
Meanwhile, numerous questions and concerns are still looming, according to CBS 12, including:
- If police believe Benadryl played a crucial role in his death, why wasn’t there any mention of finding empty pill packets or receipts for Benadryl in the home?
- Family members say the 911 call made by the victim’s wife was concerning, as she told police she was alone, but someone was allegedly whispering in the background.
- Bloodhounds followed his scent away from the canal and down the street, while an initial drone search of the water the night he vanished showed no signs of him in the water.
- Two of Calvin’s adult children received disturbing texts after he was reported missing, but before he was found. The messages reportedly said, “I have Calvin. He is sick.” then demanded a $7,000 ransom and threatened to kill him.
Investigators later said the text messages were a hoax, since the originating number came from overseas. The police department subsequently closed the case but said “any new information or leads provided are followed up on by detectives.”
Meanwhile, the I-Team said they reached out to the victim’s wife for comment, but she referred them to her attorney. She has also reportedly filed a lawsuit against Mullings in Broward County, over reported social media comments that accused her of being involved in her husband’s death.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Calvin Berry/Bell’s Funeral Services]
