His brother Lloyd said he was ailing, having been diagnosed with diabetes. Lloyd said his brother had been ailing for more than ten years and that he underwent surgery last year. "He was not well...he used to have a urine bag on him all the time because he had kidney problem," he said. "He was expected to have surgery again." Lloyd said Braithwaite was well loved by the people of Malgretoute and was accustomed to walking to the bar to lime with friends.