Chris Maharaj, an 85-year-old British citizen of Indian origin, died in a US prison hospital at Florida State Prison. He was in jail for 38 years for a crime he did not commit.
Maharaj was convicted of the murders of Derrick and Duane Moo Young in 1986. His death sentence was overturned in 2002 and commuted to life imprisonment.
Before his arrest, Maharaj was a wealthy businessman in England, owning race horses and Rolls Royce cars. He died on 5 August.
Despite being declared innocent in 2019, Maharaj remained in prison after a US appeals court ruled that the evidence of his innocence was not enough to secure his release.
Maharaj is originally from Trinidad and has lived in England since 1960. He was arrested in Florida while on a trip with his wife to purchase a retirement home.
The chef’s life changed dramatically
His life changed dramatically when he was arrested and convicted of the murders. Despite his claims of innocence and the testimony of his wife, he was sentenced to death and served 17 years on death row before his sentence was commuted.
His wife Marita Maharaj expressed deep sadness at his death. She told Sky News, “I promised Chris in 1976 that we would be together until death do us part, and I am so sad that he died alone in that horrible place.”
She wants him returned to Britain for burial, saying: “The last place he would be is the place he was falsely accused of murder. Then I will spend the rest of the time God gives me trying to clear his name so I can go to meet him in heaven with a clear conscience knowing I have done my best for him.”
Clive Stafford Smith, Maharaj’s pro bono lawyer and founder of the human rights organisation Reprieve, confirmed Maharaj’s death on Christmas Day.
“So sad: At 1pm ET Chris Maharaj has passed away in hospital after fighting injustice for 38 years – message to Marita c/o clive@justiceleague.org.uk,” the lawyer wrote on X.
Stafford Smith said it was very sad to inform Marita of her husband’s death and described her as an “exceptional wife” who stood by her husband for 38 years. He vowed to continue fighting to clear the chef’s name, saying, “We will certainly carry out his and her wish, that is to continue to exonerate him for this crime he clearly did not commit,” Sky News reported.
The case attracted considerable attention and support from British politicians and human rights groups, leading to Maharaj’s death sentence being overturned. However, despite proving his innocence, he remained imprisoned in Florida State Prison until his death.
Marita Maharaj now wants to bring her husband’s body back to Britain for burial and will continue her efforts to have him exonerated.