Police responded to a Jaffrey residence Friday night to find a Conant High School student dead and another juvenile unresponsive.
According to a press release issued by the Jaffrey Police Department on Saturday, police responded to Christian Court Friday night after a 911 call reported an unresponsive male in a vehicle and another inside a residence who appeared deceased.
Police found a juvenile inside the apartment dead of what the release said appeared to be “self-inflicted” injuries, pending the medical examiner’s report, and no foul play is suspected. The subject in the vehicle was taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation and later released, the release stated.
“We believe that alcohol was a factor,” Jaffrey Police Chief Bill Oswalt said Monday morning.
“The Jaffrey Police Department, Jaffrey Fire Department, and the Jaffrey-Rindge Ambulance Service wish to express our condolences to the victim’s family and friends,” the release stated. “The victim was a student at Conant High School. We have coordinated with the Jaffrey-Rindge School District to ensure grief counselors will be available for any students who may need assistance. Further information will be forthcoming from the School District.”
Jaffrey-Rindge Superintendent Reuben Duncan issued a statement on Saturday afternoon.
“There are no words to adequately express the emotions that are felt at a time like this,” the release states. “Grief affects everyone in different ways and at different times. We will continue to work together as a district and community to ensure that continual services and supports are available for those who need them.”
Conant High School offered grief counseling sessions and visits from therapy dogs on Sunday and Monday, and a lighted run/vigil was hosted by the Conant cross-country team Monday night, as team members ran 15 laps each to represent their classmate’s 15 years of life.
A variety of resources for those who are dealing with thoughts of self-harm are available in our area, including:
The Grapevine: grapevinenh.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line – Text 741741 from anywhere in the US
NAMI New Hampshire: www.naminh.org
The River Center: https://rivercenter.us/