BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A candlelight prayer vigil was held last evening (May 16) for the safe return of 17-year-old Leanna Napoleon of Keys Village, who went missing since Monday (May 8).
The vigil, which started at the parking lot south of the Caribbean Cinemas in Buckley’s Village, was organised by the Superintendent of the Moravian Church, Reverend Joseph, and was attended by members of the Antioch Baptist Church and a number of other concerned citizens.
From that point, they slowly proceeded to the Buckley’s home where the teen grew up until the passing of her mother some two years ago.
Outside of that house, which is currently occupied by the teen’s brother, Pastor Lincoln Connor and a prayer group from the Antioch Baptist Church in St. Johnston Village offered prayers for her safe return.
A Pastor from the Moravian Church took the opportunity to caution those present not to contribute to the false report of Napoleon’s body being found and other rumours. He also warned against taking to social media with gossip, as it could negatively affect the police’s investigation into the matter.
The fifth form student reportedly went missing on Monday (May 8) after writing one of her CSEC exams at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College.
According to Yvette Greaux, Napoleon’s adopted mother, she last saw her daughter shortly before she left for her CSEC examinations at the CFBC.
Since then, a number of searches were conducted but none of them was successful, which has left family members and close friends to fear the worst but are praying and hoping that Napoleon is alive wherever she might be.
Giving an update on the missing teen to WINN FM, Assistant Commissioner of Police Terrance James explained that they are currently in search to have her located alive.
“It is very unfortunate! We have done an extensive search in the Buckley’s area on Sunday evening (May 14). At this time I am trying to mount another search; we don’t want to use our resources to search willy-nilly. We would want to target an area based on information that we have, because we would really want to find this young lady alive and in good health.”
James is calling on any individual within the communities with information on the whereabouts of the missing teen to provide the police with such.
A $25,000 cash reward is being offered for the safe return of Napoleon.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas in an emotional plea yesterday (May 16) on his radio programme ‘Ask the Leader’, called for the teen to return home, if she is alive. And if not alive, persons with information on the recovery of her body should report that to the family or the police.
“I want to use this programme to make a very strong appeal to Leanna Napoleon. If you are listening to my voice, please for God’s sake go home. Your family members are deeply troubled and the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis are deeply concerned about your safety and welfare.
“I want to say further to all of us, and specifically maybe to those who are holding her or know of her whereabouts, for God’s sake please release Leanna Napoleon. And if she is no longer of this world, could you please bring some information to the family, the police, to our fellow citizens so that there can be some closure on this particular matter.”
The former Prime Minister reiterated his plea for the teen, if alive, to “go home or call your relatives”.
Investigations are ongoing into this matter.
