We'll miss you James

Can we stop this please?

I respect everyone's theories about how and why and where and when and what happened, mostly about who did that..

But please...shall we remember my dad as a sourcefull kinda guy who helped lotta expats, not only in Brazil Forums, but also in almpst forums in this site..

There is nothing that we can do, Our James can not be back..but yes, we can prevent it..and indeed, we can keep him alive in our heart..

Please, shall we remember ONLY the good things about him?

PS : to be honest, i cry easily..and reading all this make me cry a tear, sure i can unsubscribe, but knowing the people's condolenses for my dad also calming somehow..so..just share the good things 

Please ...

-b-

James has 2 sons and 2 daughters, all in Canada and one adopted son in Brazil.

Hello all,
Again I would like to thank your community for the kindness and sharing your encounters with my father William James Woodward.
I learned of this post from a member who wanted his story to be told and not to be kept quiet in Brazil. So I have been in contact with The Hamilton Spectator "the Spec" in my And his place of birth. They are a large print media identity with even larger sister company "The Sun" I hope they can help share this tragic story and help uncover more truths if possible.
It is just as hard for us here in Canada to get solid answers to the events and facts and have them validated.
It has been communicated to myself that sadly both his common law spouse and his youngest child (son) were indeed home at the time of his attack and murder.
If anyone can share any information, or stories (good, bad or ugly) please PM me.
Again, it has been very comforting and I have found peace in learning about his Brazil Life and the impact he his made to others.

entre em contato comigo CARO MACAÉ PRECISO DE SUA AJUDA  ATT LYNDY SILVA

I am really having a hard time shaking James death off.  I keep telling myself this is not my fight.  It makes me feel like my life here in Brazil has no value.  No one deserves to have people enter there home, beat theme up and kill them.  This was a barbaric act.  The police cannot sweep this under the carpet and forget it.  Don't they know that the suspects are not going to stop with James.  The men that killed James are butchers and have no regard for life.  Anyone could be next.  In LA a few years ago a young woman was found dead in a plastic bag.  The police spent three years working the case.  The girl was from Mexico.  The detective went to the girls home town and distributed fliers.  They found the girls mother and identified the suspect.  This is what we pay police to do.  I have a lot of respect here for the police.  I know that they are overwhelmed with crime.  James was trying to help by pointing out the wrong doing in Brazil so that change might come about.  He didn't deserve to die because of that.  May God bless James and you all.  If the editor can make this anonymous please do so.

You cannot apply other country standards,  it will just make you crazy.  The police do not care and likely are part of the problem. 

If you are going to adapt you must let go of other standards.

VictoriaChandler wrote:

If anyone has any factual information about James's death, the whereabouts of his wife and son, or funeral arrangements, let him share it cautiously - please take care not to reveal too much private information in a public forum.

Good advice.

Please don't post any information with any details anyone could use to identify the date, time and place the funeral will be held.
Events suggests the funeral is a potential target for whoever assassinated James as it appears to have been designed to send a message, not just to kill him.

Share by PM and email, and only to trusted contacts.

Fred, you could be less cryptic and still protect others.

What in the world is going on?? Who/what was sending a message and what was the message? Are you suggesting that this is somehow related to James truth telling about the downsides of Brazil on this forum?

Although he certainly had criticisms, they were fair and eloquent, and certainly not limited to James. Plenty of criticism has been leveled at the corruption, crime, and violence in Brazil from many places over many years.

Or if what you're saying is not related to that - what are you saying?

gardener1 wrote:

Fred, you could be less cryptic and still protect others.

I have been communicating with several people, then filtering material into bits I can post openly, bits that only some forum members can see, and others aimed directly at a given member by PM, other private means, or email.

I've found myself acting as a filter for messages, something I'm perfectly happy to do, but I can't post all to everyone as there is a potential danger. My only interest is seeing anyone who attends James's funeral stays safe, not to pass information out generally, that and to get information to the correct people who have been unable to contact each other directly.
Direct info will only be passed to/accepted as true from people I feel can be trusted, that trust only given after I investigate  the validity of each and every contact.


While the security situation in Brazil is a valid topic for expats and locals, not on this thread.

Please all stay safe.

I believe it is not about what was posted on these forums.  It is about other work James did.

James helped me so much - what a lovely giving soul. Makes me wonder wtf I am doing in Brazil still. Hope they catch the pigs who committed this cowardly act.

I seea post from his son in Canada saying they can't comment either. It's all so odd. why shouldn't they be able to comment from Canada?

What post is that?

MSHEPLEY12 wrote:

What post is that?

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 32#3201947

I made comments in the article that appeared in the Hamilton Spectator.
At not point does it say I can't or won't comment.
So I ask, is the a specific quote stating otherwise???

This link from another thread may be of interest. I was not able to open it directly from Brasil, only by using my UK proxy server.


http://www.thespec.com/news-story/65121 … an-murder/

I think it is worth reminding expats that unless you acquired citizenship then you are a guest in the country.  In many cases you are not allowed to publicly criticize, actively get involved politically etc.   

Make sure you understand what you can legally do and what may put you in harms way. What locals do and what you can do is often very very different.

I don't know what is at work here, but we must all be aware!!!

Fred wrote:

Macae wrote:

Please provide details on a funeral, if there is going to be one.

Please contact me by private message ASAP.

estou aqui mas nao sei como contacta lo.

Lyndy Silva wrote:

Fred wrote:

Macae wrote:

Please provide details on a funeral, if there is going to be one.

Please contact me by private message ASAP.

estou aqui mas nao sei como contacta lo.

Message sent by original contact method.

I'm pleased to see James getting some newspaper column inches.
It was very wrong that a man who helped so many be totally ignored in death.

Here is the piece in The Hamilton Spectator for those of you who can't access the page:

Hamilton family looking for answers in Brazilian murder
Sun., Apr 24, 2016 | By Joel OpHardt

After a family member's life is taken away, most families are looking for a chance to pay their respects and have some questions answered.

In the case of William James Woodward, that closure seems more unlikely by the day.

On April 7, the Hamilton native who had lived in Brazil many years, was murdered in Macae, a city of about 200,000, 180 km north of Rio de Janeiro. He was 66.

"It is hard to get any answers," said son Matthew Shepley, whose father's body has been in a Rio de Janeiro morgue for more than two weeks now. "I tried to call the local police station but they hung up because of the language barrier."

Though expensive, the family agreed to pay $10,000 to return the body to Canada, where they expected to have him promptly laid to rest at his reserved Hamilton plot next to his brother and father.

Days later that number quickly escalated to $30,000, as the family was informed that the need for cremation of the body — a rarity in Brazil — caused legal hurdles and increasing costs.

Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Diana Khaddaj confirmed consular officials are providing the family assistance.

"As the family was faced with great obstacles and an outrageous cost burden, we needed to evaluate all the possible options," said Shepley. "Of course you always want to respect someone's wishes when it comes to their final resting place. Anything less leaves a certain amount of guilt."

It is still unclear what will happen with Woodward's body.

According to Shepley, Woodward grew up in Hamilton, serving as an auxiliary Hamilton police officer for about a year, and a police dispatcher for five years, before moving to British Columbia in 1976. After about 25 years working with B.C. Transit, he retired to Brazil.

He would spend 14 years there, moving from city to city, teaching English.

The police report indicates the incident was a homicide with unknown motive. The death certificate indicates Woodward died as a result of gunshot wounds. Those documents indicate he died somewhere between 1:30 and 2 p.m. on April 7.

According to a Brazilian Forum on Public Security Report, in 2014, 58,000 people were victims of homicide in Brazil.

Family are still unsure what happened, and are not sure how dedicated Brazilian police are to finding out. They have contacted friends of Woodward with conflicting reports indicating Woodward was shot either in or near his home where he lived with his partner and adopted son.

Though Woodward taught English, Shepley says he was considered politically active and a vocal critic of the Brazilian government, high crime rates and the militarization of police, particularly through an online forum of expats living in Brazil on expat.com.

In one post from March 12 , Woodward advises tourists to stay home rather than coming to the Olympics.

"Coming to the Olympics??? Two bits of advice, either buy a bulletproof vest or stay home," Woodward writes.

In a three-month-old comment on opendemocracy.net, Woodward writes "The Military Police in this country is a body that is completely out of control, and little better than the violent criminals that they're supposed to be protecting us from."

Shepley hadn't seen his father in more than 20 years, and said his death has been unearthing a floodgate of emotions as he researched who his father was in Brazil. Shepley, 41, lives in Strathroy. Woodward's sister lives in Hamilton.

Shepley describes his dad as a crusader for a better life in his community.

"Unlike many on social media and the Internet, he did not hide behind a username or anonymous comments. He owned what he said … he had his name proudly attached to it."

Is anybody having more info on Mr James ?
Did the funeral take place

RIP

For anyone who is willing to help..
Please kindly check this link :

https://www.gofundme.com/2h64vf7g

Thank you

As I live in Macae, RJ, Brasil, if you want any help, please contact me directly.

I do NOT understand the reason for US$10,000, much less R$30,000 to return James' body to Canada.

I do know a local attorney who can probably help if you do not have one.

Here in Brasil, it really takes a lawyer to get something done.  Lawyers are not cheap, but I have gotten one that is "reasonable".

Contact me directly as applicable.

Best wishes.
John

Hi John, i am trying to reach for you but got no respond yet up to now..

aabie ryan wrote:

Hi John, i am trying to reach for you but got no respond yet up to now..

I'm also trying to contact John.
Please use PM.

Hi everyone,

@ John, your privacy settings will not allow anyone to contact you by PM.

Maybe this type of settings will be more convenient :

1 - Add Fred and Aabbie in your contacts by sending them a contact request, then change your pm settings to "Contacts Only" so that only your contacts will be able to pm you.

or

2 - Change the settings to public, anyone who needs to pm you will be able to do so.

Way to access your pm settings > Go your your settings > My account > SELECT PRIVACY SETTINGS AND TOOLS FOR THE FORUM > Click on Modify settings > Enable private messages system > Then choose Contacts only or public.

Bhavna

Sua caixa de mensagens deve ser verificada.ja solicitamos sua ajuda Prezado.

Costs incurred are for what amounts to two two svcs.
Cremation is uncommon and unless decedent had document stating these wishes it's highly unlikely until 3years of internment have passed.
A client of mine in Rio on first ever passport, trip out of country, had in his trust a specific order penned in his writing, or Bob might still be there.
Still, it took me five weeks and roughly 9k US to get his ashes back to Phoenix.
Cost me many hours and did not make me popular with asshole consular in 07, who's authority was ignored in favor of my friends wishes and his daughter's mental health.

No need to continue as this experience is one of the longest chapters in a soon published book but the 30K is only a bit more than I'd expect and I'll explain as quickly and to the point as I can.

Human remains are toxic unless cremated so are handled as such. Embalming happens rarely but let's hope this order was given.
Brazil svc means sealing remains, coffin, storage, hearse to airport only after released from ME to funeral service,  bribes to ME, funeral director, any other assholes that may try to delay, and the actual flight once Mount Bullshit is successfully scaled.

Hamilton airport would have been notified from Canadian funeral svc/ director about their hearse picking up AT THE AIRCRAFT, remains, transferred to service ordered in Canada.
This 30K is probably accurate if it covers both ends, start to finish.

It is imperative to get a judge to sign order to cremate in Rio to begin and if nothing's changed it only operates once per week and only by appointment so delays.

I said previously how sorry I feel for those needing closure and not only for losing James but going through this.
I can't explain how relieved I am that I'm in California instead of Rio knowing the process, Bob was only my first experience of too many, I'd be facilitating this from Rio to speed the closure along.
Again,  I'm sorry I can't help as it's clear James deserves better.
Only person there that MIGHT be open to the stress levels that come with these situations is my driver.
He has all the same experiences and was seemingly still honest my last time down.
I'll pass his contact to immediate family if no end in sight.

Is a cruel Irony that James  would go on to suffer in death the same  bureaucracy and corruption that he spoke out against in life .

The latest news piece

I must be saying the sad irony is being too much ...the beaurocratic problems James complained about suffering in Brazil during his life in Brazil seem to be nothing compared to what he is enduring now in death.
I wonder what Mr James would be saying now if he was here to comment on all of this ...

http://m.thespec.com/news-story/6521832 … g-man-home

Wow!!!   Most interesting.


So is the decision been made to cremate James' body or to bury it?

There was an expat buried here in Macae (in a local cemetery) after his early unexpected death.

Please contact me directly.  Thank you.  John from Macae

They want to cremate the body in order to send it back to Canada as this will be easier
but it is also whats causing the problems due to the fact it is uncommon and hard to organize
but according to the article they say that a burial space is also not available in Brazil.

....at least that is my understanding...

Macae your private msg's are disabled so no one can be messaging you

I have changed my setting s for contacts

"Enable private messages system Public"

Hopefully, this will fix the problem!!!

Thank you for letting me know.

John

I was reluctant to point out the lack of refrigeration at Rio ME office.
Only way to repatriate is cremation at this point.  Likely only option after day two.
Currently only leverage  is publicity and/ or Olympics but would need to be from someone in government.

My recollections are ONE judge authorizes cremation, ONE location performs one day per week.

Once cremated the remains can be returned as cargo but very few airlines accommodate.

My driver will certainly recall these details if someone wants to call or email.

Five weeks before Bob ina box landed in Phoenix but saved thousands for his daughter.

Autopsy was to take SIX WEEKS and that judge must have that before authorizing but ME became quite a $$ ommodating to our time sensitive situation.

Then we pu$he'd for quicker appointment and someone's loved one  was delayed a week.

Canadian consulate can help, Consular General or ambassador more persuasive than other personnel.

If the rate goes beyond 10 - 12K somebody is too uncooperative.

Can't be too specific but someone knowledgeable can take care of this in next couple - 3 weeks and not be fleeced.
Everyone in this chain of events that need to happen can become flexible but you need someone honest there and sadly that may be hard to find.

Rental space means burial for three years at which point a member of family must retrieve, cremate, book transport of ashes, etc...
I didn't believe it when I first heard it either but I've been to exact same place 3 yrs later and removed, by employees, and boxed...
You can't make this shit up. Sorry

Hello,


Yesterday, was the funeral/entombment of James' Woodward.  Lindy from Belo Horizonte made the arrangements.  Due to a misunderstanding on my part, Lindy was not able to contact me for me to attend.   There was one other couple from Campos who attended.

Today, Lindy and I returned to the cemetery.  I said payers for my/our friend James.  I read many of the posts on Expat.com to publicly recognize what a great person James was. 

Lindy will make a "professional" video and will post as applicable ASAP.  I am 100% confident, you will like this video as if you had been here in attendance.

In addition, I put Lindy in touch with the attorney I use here in Macae.  Lindy will be in touch directly with this attorney and forward as applicable to Jame's family.   I am sure that if they want something done, it will require an attorney who can be trusted and  is reasonable in cost.  I can attest to both.  Likewise, as this attorney is here in Macae and I am here in Macae, we can do the work necessary on a most cost-effective basis and attend to the issues as needed with the government officials.  I have asked Lindy to cc me on all emails.  As both the attorney and Lindy speak Portuguese very fluently, there will be few if any communication issues

I have Skype and if anyone wants to Skype me for a video, they can do so!!!  The cost for a Skype video is ZERO!!!!

If someone will be so kind of how to post pictures here in this blog, I will post pictures.

Most sincerely,
John

Muito obrigado, Lyndy.
Thank you John.