Published: June 24, 2026
MONROVIA – The body of Toni Khumalo Jackson has lain in a mortuary freezer for more than 102 days because the Liberian government has not released the autopsy and toxicology reports her family needs to take her home to South Africa for burial, her husband said Tuesday.
Renowned economist and politician Samuel P. Jackson made the appeal on what would have been his wife’s 44th birthday and the couple’s third wedding anniversary, a day he said should have been a celebration but has instead deepened the family’s grief. He said the delay comes despite a public assurance from Liberia National Police Inspector General Gregory O. W. Coleman that the findings would be released.
“Today, June 23, 2026, would have marked the 44th birthday and third wedding anniversary of my wife, Ntombikayise Innocentia Khumalo, commonly known as Toni Khumalo. Sadly, we are unable to celebrate these milestones because of the untimely death of our beloved wife and daughter,” Jackson wrote in a statement on his official Facebook page. “We are further devastated by the fact that her body has remained in a mortuary freezer for more than 102 days.”
Toni Khumalo died on March 13, 2026, a death that drew significant public attention amid speculation and allegations spread through images and reports on social media. Jackson has attributed her death to failures in Liberia’s healthcare system, including an inability to secure an ambulance and unsuccessful efforts to obtain treatment abroad. Public concern prompted authorities to open an investigation and order an autopsy.
South African law requires documentation, including autopsy and toxicology reports, before the remains of a deceased citizen can be repatriated, Jackson said. He said both the Jackson and Khumalo families have appealed repeatedly, through their lawyers and publicly, for custody of the remains so she can receive a dignified burial in South Africa, but have received neither the reports nor any word on when they will come.
Jackson pointed to statements Coleman made shortly after the death.
“As many will recall, Inspector General of Police Gregory Coleman publicly stated that an autopsy would be conducted on Toni’s remains on March 16, 2026, and that the results would be released within 72 hours,” Jackson said. “He further indicated that toxicology tests would be conducted and the findings subsequently released. However, 102 days later, the Government of the Republic of Liberia has yet to release either report.”
Without an officially established cause of death, he said, the family cannot begin the repatriation required under South African law. The delay has compounded the family’s suffering, he added, particularly for Toni’s mother, Eliza Khumalo, whom he described as elderly and in frail health.
“The prolonged delay in releasing her daughter’s remains for burial has caused immense emotional distress and continues to adversely affect her health,” he said.
Jackson stressed that he intends to respect the legal process and will not litigate the circumstances of his wife’s death in public, but said the official silence troubles him.
“As Toni’s husband, I do not wish to litigate the circumstances of her death in the court of public opinion and will continue to respect and follow the legal process. However, I must express my disappointment at the silence that has followed the public outrage and intense discussions that arose immediately after her passing,” he said. “The lack of sustained concern raises questions about whether the pursuit of justice for Toni remains a priority.”
He appealed to Liberians, civil society organizations, human rights advocates and the international community to join the family in demanding the immediate release of the reports.
“Today, I appeal to all Liberians, civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and members of the international community to join our families in calling for the immediate release of the autopsy and toxicology reports,” he said. “Their release will enable us to take the necessary steps to return Toni Khumalo to South Africa and provide her with the dignified burial she deserves.”
Jackson also disclosed that a representative of the South African Embassy was present at the funeral home when the autopsy was conducted, and argued that the embassy deserves access to the findings.
“We also wish to state that a representative of the South African Embassy was present at the funeral home on the day the autopsy was conducted,” he said. “The Embassy, like the family, deserves access to these reports in order to inform the people of South Africa about the cause of death of one of their citizens.”
As public attention to the case resurfaces, the family continues to await answers, closure and the documents it says are essential to honoring Toni Khumalo’s final journey home.
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