JP McManus’s Son Continues Legal Battle Over Wife’s Death Ruling
John McManus, son of billionaire JP McManus, has filed a fresh appeal in Barbados seeking to overturn a coroner’s finding that his wife, Emma McManus, died as a result of cocaine use. The appeal marks the third legal challenge McManus has launched since 2021 contesting the coroner’s verdict and related proceedings.
The Case and Initial Findings
Emma McManus, a mother of three and daughter of former Irish tennis player Peter Ledbetter, died on December 30, 2020, at the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados following a party. Coroner Graveney Bannister ruled in September 2024 that her death was “cocaine-related.” This ruling was initially challenged by McManus, but a previous appeal was dismissed in November 2025.
Details of the New Appeal
The latest appeal, filed on December 28, 2025, outlines 12 alleged errors of fact or law made by Judge Patrick Wells in his November judgment. McManus is requesting a writ of certiorari to quash Bannister’s verdict, arguing that the coroner acted unlawfully and/or in breach of procedural fairness. He seeks either a new inquest conducted by a different coroner or a retrial before a different High Court judge.
Key Arguments in the Appeal
According to the notice of appeal, Judge Wells erred in law by allowing Bannister to publish his ruling despite the ongoing legal challenge. McManus contends that the judge misapplied the legal test of “legitimate expectation” and failed to recognize an “unambiguous and unqualified representation” from Bannister that the inquest would be paused pending appeal.
The appeal further alleges procedural unfairness, claiming McManus was denied a fair opportunity to challenge critical evidence, including cross-examining witnesses and presenting contrary evidence. It also asserts that the coroner omitted material considerations and took into account irrelevant matters, ultimately reaching an unreasonable verdict. McManus argues that Bannister’s preference for the testimony of state pathologist Dr. Corinthia Dupuis over that of Dr. Stephen Jones (commissioned by the McManus family) was “irrational” and “unsupported by cogent reasons,” and suggests potential bias on the part of the coroner.
Conflicting Pathology Reports
The case involves two pathology reports. Dr. Dupuis concluded that Emma McManus’s cause of death was “natural,” resulting from asphyxia caused by inhalation of food material. But, Dr. Dupuis testified that John McManus had offered to pay any amount to preserve the results of toxicology tests, which revealed the presence of cocaine metabolites, private. Dr. Dupuis disagreed with Dr. Jones’s findings, stating that a person without medical illness would not normally aspirate and that cocaine can cause cardiac arrhythmia leading to aspiration.
Costs and Public Interest
McManus also challenges the High Court’s order requiring him to pay Bannister’s legal costs, arguing the appeal raises issues of “significant public importance.”
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The Barbados Court of Appeal will hear McManus’s latest case. The McManus family did not respond to requests for comment.