Parents of slain teen thankful for support

Locksley Wilson, the father of Raven Wilson, who was killed over the weekend and her body dumped near her home in Top Road, St Ann, has expressed appreciation for the support the family has been getting.

"Although it (the incident) is negative, the positive coming out of it is that people still care for others," Wilson said.

"The police force, to be honest, in the early stage, we felt like we got left out, but after a while, we realised that they are supporting us to the fullest. When it comes to neighbours, the community itself, people from outside, everybody join hands and hearts, and really and truly, we have the support.

"We really appreciate and thank the people who really give us the support, who make us feel like it's not the end of the rope," he concluded.

Education Minister Ruel Reid made a quiet visit to Top Road on Wednesday evening to offer support to the parents of the slain teenager, who was an Ocho Rios High School student.

"It's a lot of emotion, and I really, really feel it from the depth of my heart," Reid said. "My greatest sympathy, certainly, has been aroused in this particular situation. It's very regretful, and I put it to God as well. 'vengeance is mine', saith the Lord, and I know the God up above sees, and he is going to make sure that those who are responsible for this crime are going to be dealt with with the appropriate justice," he said.

"I can appreciate, having spoken to the father and the mother, the close relationship that they had, the wonderful relationship. It's the kind of household and parenting that the government is promoting - father and mother together in a very loving, caring relationship, such a protective relationship," Reid said.

"When you look at the quality relationship that the mother described that she had with Raven from she was born, very close. Raven didn't go anywhere, as she said, except both of them were going, apart from when she was going to school, and it's unfortunate that it was on her way to school that somehow she was taken away and this unfortunate act was committed."