Bahamas Environment and Natural Resources Minister Vaughn Peterson Miller has died at the age of 64, the country’s Office of the Prime Minister announced Sunday.
According to a police statement, an unnamed man, whom the Office of the Prime Minister identified as Miller, was found unresponsive shortly after 1 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (0500 GMT). CPR was administered before he was taken to the hospital, where he later died, police said. While no cause of death was immediately given, police said no foul play was suspected.
“Our country has lost a man whose life was dedicated to lifting others,” Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis said in a statement. “Vaughn’s journey, from a young man in Eleuthera, to a trusted voice on the radio, to pastor, advocate, parliamentarian, and Minister, is one that reminds us that service takes many forms. His voice may now be silent, but the example he leaves behind will echo for generations.”
Miller was first elected to the Bahamian Parliament in 2017 as a member of the then-governing Free National Movement. He left the party in 2019 to join the then-opposition Progressive Liberal Party. He was reelected to Parliament in 2021 and appointed to serve as the Cabinet minister responsible for the environment and natural resources.
Born on the island of Eleuthera, Miller received his earliest schooling at Green Castle Primary School, before attending Windermere High School and R. M. Bailey Secondary. In later years, he pursued further education in the United States, including studies at the University of Richmond, Siena College, and Jacksonville Theological Seminary.
According to his official biography, aside from his political life he had been a broadcaster, pastor, trade‐unionist and social activist, and founded the motivational organization The Vision Group Ltd. His public service also included a term as Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Renewal. He was married to Cassandra Miller, and the couple had one child.
