The family of a British man whose body parts went missing after he died in Bermuda have written to the Governor and Attorney General calling for an inquest to help them find answers.

Long-term resident Norman Palmer had requested that his body be flown home for cremation when he died.

This wish was carried out, but a UK coroner ordered another post mortem due to being dissatisfied with the cause of death being listed by Bermuda officials as "respiratory failure".

It was at that point that the dead man's family made the horrific discovery that half his body parts were missing.

They still do not know where they are, who took them or why.

Mr. Palmer's wife Kathy and sisters Heather Carberry and Marion Bishop told The Royal Gazette earlier this month: "It is like something out of a horror film and it has left us all feeling numb.

"But we are also very angry. All we can think about now is that we want justice for our brother. We need answers and we need the right answers."

In addition to their distress over what happened to Mr. Palmer's body, the family also allege that the 57-year-old from Leafy Way, Paget, may not have died on April 12 if an ambulance had conveyed him to hospital more quickly after he was taken ill complaining of an obstruction to his throat.

They claim it took at least 20 minutes from their 911 call, despite him only living a few streets away from the hospital.

An inquest was held in England because the law there requires one if there is a death in a foreign jurisdiction and the body is then returned to the UK.

According to the pathologist's post mortem report at Yeovil District Hospital, Somerset, Mr. Palmer's missing tissues and organs include two-thirds of the brain, one kidney; the spleen, the throat and a large part of the small and large intestines.

Coroner for East Somerset Tony Williams has asked the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to assist in an investigation, while the MP for Ms Carberry has referred the matter to Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

Last night, Shadow Minister of Health Louise Jackson revealed in the House of Assembly that law firm Conyers Dill and Pearman, acting for the family, sent a letter on June 12 to Coroner's Officer Adrian Cook about the allegations.

It was copied to Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Attorney General Kim Wilson, Senior Coroner's Officer Archibald Warner, Coroner Tyrone Chin and Deputy Commissioner of Police Carlton Adams.

The law firm complained that at the time of writing the letter, no answers had been forthcoming as to how the body parts went missing — and no substantive response or acknowledgement had been received in response to a letter to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital on April 28 asking what happened.

"They remain in the dark as to where the organs and tissues of Mr. Palmer are at present," it stated.

"The family firmly believe that this is an appropriate case for an inquest to be carried out and, by copy of this letter, we request the Senior Coroner to direct that an inquest be conducted into the circumstances of the death of the late Mr. Norman Palmer."

Telling MPs about the letter last night, Mrs. Jackson said the family sent the letter "in desperation", and urged: "They need some answers. They deserve answers."