Breaking News: Slain teen found in mangroves
The body of 14-year-old CedarBridge student Rhiana Moore was discovered within the mangroves at Blue Hole Hill on Saturday morning.
The discovery was made shortly after 11 a.m. when a member of the public was walking in the area, two tourists kayaking near the scene also alerted Police.
Rhiana was described as a "gem" by her high school principal Kalmar Richards in a statement from the Ministry of Education.
"This is a very difficult time, but we are coping," she said. "We are a family here at CedarBridge Academy and when a family loses a member of the family, it is a very painful experience. We have lost a "gem" and a young woman who had the potential to do great things for our country.
"I want to publicly extend my sympathies to Rhiana's family and friends, those very close friends she had here in our school and our extended family of schools throughout the island. I ask the community to remember all of us in their prayers today."
Police spokesman Dwayne Caines would not comment on the circumstances of Rhiana's death but said foul play had not been ruled out and overseas pathologists were being flown in to examine the body. A Police press conference with more details will take place this afternoon.
Plans have already been put in place to assist school friends of Rhiana cope with the tragic death of the S1.
CedarBridge Academy staff are attending a meeting at 2 p.m. today while students and parents have been invited to attend a Celebration of Life service with staff and members of the clergy at 2.30 p.m. in the school's Meeting Room.
The school said that support groups have been set up in its library for parents, in the guidance meeting room for students and in room S113 for close friends of the deceased. These groups will provide counseling for the duration of the week and as long as required.
Tomorrow Minister of Education Randolph Horton will address staff at the school at 8.15 a.m., however, the Ministry said Monday's S4 exams will take place at the scheduled 9 a.m. start.
Today Mr. Horton said: "I am deeply saddened and my heart goes out to the her family, her friends, the principal, teachers, staff and students of the CedarBridge Academy.
"When something like this happens we all feel it. I have received reaction to this from every corner of the Ministry and from those in our community who feel the hurt when we in the schools are hurting. I believe these extensions of condolence are reflections of a realization that this could have been any school, any one of our institutes of learning, public or private. We must pull together and provide support for each other, especially those close to her at the CedarBridge Academy."