MONROVIA – The legal team representing Samuel Jackson has retained internationally recognized forensic expert Dr. Rockefeller F. Cooper II to conduct an independent investigation into the mysterious death of his wife, Toni Khumalo Jackson.
The move follows the Liberia National Police’s autopsy of Mrs. Jackson’s remains on Monday, March 16, 2026, at St. Moses Funeral Parlours. Jackson’s defense team, led by Cllr. Cyrenius Cephus, immediately requested that the procedure be postponed, arguing that insufficient notice prevented proper representation for their client.
On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, AFDASA Global Consultancy Inc., acting on Jackson’s instructions, formally invited Dr. Cooper to conduct an independent autopsy with Ministry of Justice representatives present. The letter emphasized that Dr. Cooper’s expertise would determine the cause and manner of death and that all necessary logistical and technical support would be provided.
The defense team raised multiple concerns about the police-led autopsy. They argued that the short notice made it impossible to secure an independent pathologist to observe the procedure. Lawyers also requested verification of the credentials of the pathologist assigned by the police, noting that background checks were essential to ensure credibility and transparency in a case of such public interest.
Additionally, the legal team highlighted the absence of a death certificate establishing the cause of death. They argued that without an officially documented cause, conducting an immediate autopsy could be premature and prejudicial. The defense formally requested that the examination be deferred to allow proper preparation and independent oversight.
Toni Jackson reportedly died under mysterious circumstances on Friday, March 13, 2026, prompting nationwide attention and public debate. Her passing has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding her death and placed her husband at the center of one of Liberia’s most closely monitored criminal investigations.
Police have confirmed that the findings from the initial autopsy will be made public in the coming days. These results are expected to significantly influence the trajectory of the case, potentially shaping decisions on further legal actions or additional investigations.
Meanwhile, Samuel Jackson was released by the police on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, after being held for 48 hours. He had been invited for questioning on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
In addition to hiring Dr. Cooper, Jackson’s legal team formally notified Justice Minister N. Oswald Tweh of their decision and requested unhindered access for the forensic investigation. In a letter addressed to Minister Tweh, AFDASA Global outlined that Dr. Cooper would visit the crime scene to document it through photos, videos, and detailed notes, collect physical evidence including swabs and samples, search for forensic clues such as bloodstains, fingerprints, and footprints, reconstruct events, interview witnesses, review all material evidence, and perform a post-mortem examination with subsequent analysis of samples for histopathology, toxicology, and DNA in the United States.
The letter also emphasized that Dr. Cooper is a registered Forensic Medicolegal Death Investigator (LMDC license #FMLDI 001) and requested that he be provided a police escort wherever necessary. Furthermore, senior counsels from the Association of Counsels of International Criminal Courts and Tribunals (ACICCAT), certified under international criminal law standards, may join the investigation team to provide additional legal support and guidance.
AFDASA Global concluded by formally requesting that Dr. Cooper be granted unimpeded access to both the crime scene and the deceased’s remains, and that full cooperation be extended to any ACICCAT legal team visiting Liberia. The move underscores the defense team’s commitment to transparency and internationally recognized forensic standards, amid intense public interest in the investigation.
