BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - IT was a sombre evening as family members, friends, teachers, students, politicians and members of the public gathered on the Basseterre High School grounds Wednesday evening (June 21) for a candlelight vigil in memory of the late Leanna Napoleon.
The 17-year-old went missing for some six weeks and her body was discovered by police on Wednesday (Jun. 14) in a shallow grave in Olivees Mountain.
Among the hundreds who gathered and paid tributes were Minister of Education and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Shawn Richards, Senior Minister of Health Hon. Eugene Hamilton, Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Three Hon. Konris Maynard and Labour Party caretaker for Constituency Eight Dr. Terrance Drew.
In his address, Minister Richards offered condolences to Napoleon’s family on his behalf and that of the Ministry of Education and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Minister told the gathering that death is never an easy thing for anyone, noting that in the case of the teenager, the heartache was compounded when one of the accused persons in her death happened to be her brother.
“The grief is further compounded and there are many questions undoubtedly which will continue to linger in the minds of persons; questions which perhaps we would never ever find the answers to.
“As we continue to ponder, as we continue to wonder, we do believe that the life of Leanna is one that has many positive lessons for us as individuals and for us as a community.”
Her fifth form school mates read scriptures, sang songs and recited poems in her loving memory.
Richards urged that it should not take a tragic circumstance for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis to work together.
“To the students who are present here this evening, I say to you that though circumstances at times in your life may be tough, regardless of those circumstances, you can and you must overcome, if you can.”
Minister Hamilton paid tribute by singing a verse from the song, ‘The potter wants to put you back together again’, while Dr. Drew and Maynard, like all others at the vigil, lit candles in their tribute to the teen, as a prayer of strength was said for family members.
Leanna Napoleon’s funeral service and burial is scheduled for Monday, June 26.
