Jamaican who promised 'Argentine Disney' found dead on street

Emile Maxim St. Patrick Higgins, a 55-year-old Jamaican national who once promised to build an "Argentine Disney" in San Pedro, was found dead on a street in Merlo, Buenos Aires province. A worker from bus line 216 alerted authorities after spotting Higgins lying on the ground in the Libertad neighborhood, where he had reportedly been wandering for more than 20 days.

Police confirmed Higgins' death at the scene. The local prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the cause of death and ordered an autopsy. Higgins gained notoriety in 2007 when he announced plans to construct a Disney World on a 132-hectare property he claimed to own in San Pedro. Despite initial local government support and a sign posted on the land, the project never materialized, and Disney officially denied any affiliation with the initiative.

Before the Disney venture, Higgins also launched "World Football Idol," a reality show aimed at discovering new football talent, with a significant cash prize and tryout opportunities. The first event in Mar del Plata saw limited participation. He later attempted a second event, enlisting football legend Diego Maradona to host and featuring performances by popular artists. However, this event also faced low turnout, further highlighting the challenges Higgins encountered in bringing his ambitious projects to fruition.