Sombre mood at St John's primary as school mourns death of Kelsey Ferrigon

A wave of grief swept through St John's Primary School in St Catherine today as teachers and students gathered for the morning shift to mourn the tragic death of Kelsey Ferrigon.

The body of the nine-year-old girl, who was a student on the afternoon shift at the school, was found stuffed in a barrel at her home on Jobs Lane in Spanish Town, St Catherine on Friday night.

The sadness was palpable during this morning's devotion.

Students and staff were visibly shaken as they reflected on the loss of one of their own.

Senior Superintendent of Police Hopton Nicholson, commander for the St Catherine North Police Division, attended the devotion with a team of officers to offer support.

“We know that some of you turned up for school and learnt of the gruesome act that took one of your own. We are here to empathise with you and to assure you that we will be doing our best to make sure that perpetrator is caught and brought to justice,” Nicholson assured.

Vice principal of the morning shift, Rosena Slater, stated that although Kesley was not assigned to the morning shift, some students would have known and interacted with her.

As a result, she said staff are closely monitoring students for any signs of undue stress and will refer them to guidance counsellors if necessary.

Prayers were led by Sergeant Cyril Francis, a member of the police team and an evangelical bishop.

The Minister of Education is expected to visit the school later today.

- Ruddy Mathison

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