BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN sad and loving memory of the late Leanna Napoleon, her fellow students and teachers of the Basseterre High School have organised a Candlelight Vigil that will take place evening (Jun. 21).
The vigil will be held on the school grounds from 6:00 p.m.
According to the school’s Guidance Counsellor, Sasha McDermott, the entire school population is saddened by Napoleon’s death and they are trying to cope with the situation.
“We are deeply saddened by the cruel and untimely death of our student, Leanna Napolean. We express our condolences to her family, her friends and her loved ones. As a school community, we are trying to cope with this tragic reality; we are committed to bonding together to support each other through this difficult time. Our prayers and support are extended to her family and friends,” McDermott said during an interview with WINN FM.
He declared that guidance counsellors are available for grief counselling to all those who may need such assistance.
“Leanna was taken from us but will forever live in our hearts. The school has arranged a candlelight vigil in honour of Leanna on Wednesday, June 21st at 6:00 p.m. at the school grounds. The community, students, parents and all those who wish to show their respect are asked to bring their own candles as we seek to honour Leanna’s memory,” the Guidance Counsellor added.
The decomposing body of 17-year-old Leanna Napoleon was discovered by police in a shallow grave in the Olivees Mountain area on Wednesday (Jun. 14).
The fifth form Basseterre High School student, who was residing with her adopted mother in Keys Village following the death of her biological mother some two years ago, was reported missing after she had written her CSEC EDPM exam at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College on Monday, May 8, 2017.
She was reportedly last seen on Fort Street, Basseterre in the afternoon of the day in question.
Since then, members of the Police Force, Defence Force, family members, friends and public-spirited citizens had conducted extensive searches in the Buckley’s, Keys and other areas for the missing girl without success.
Following her disappearance, police had taken a number of individuals, including her brother, into custody for questioning, but they were subsequently released.
However, hours after the discovery of her body, the brother, Brandon Lee Wells of Buckley’s Housing Development, was taken into police custody and charged with her murder on Saturday (Jun. 17).
And on Monday (Jun. 19), 18-year-old Travien Liddie of St. Johnson’s Village was also charged with the same offence.
Police had issued a warrant for the arrest of 19-year-old Ivan ‘Chinyman’ Phillip of Shadwell, who is also deemed a suspect in the teen’s murder.
Leanna Napoleon’s death had taken to 15 the number of homicides committed in the Federation for this year; six on Nevis and nine on St. Kitts.
