Police in Clarendon and Manchester have launched a major investigation after a decomposed body, believed to be that of missing Christiana High School student, 13-year-old Shantina Sergeant, was discovered behind her family home in Baillieston, Clarendon, on Monday evening.
According to police reports, Shantina, who lived at Riverside Drive in the community, was reported missing by her father, Lawrence Sergeant, on Friday, October 3. On Monday, October 6, a team from the Christiana Police Station went in search of the teenager.
During the operation, officers stumbled upon a body in an advanced state of decomposition. It was found in bushes behind a house, concealed under a sheet of zinc beside a burnt-out refrigerator. The body is strongly suspected to be that of the missing student.
The case is now being handled by the Manchester police. Speaking with Observer Online, Superintendent Carey Duncan, head of the Manchester police, confirmed that investigators are actively searching for Shantina’s father.
“We are currently looking for her father, Mr. Lawrence Sergeant, who we believe at this point can assist in our investigation,” Superintendent Duncan said. He added that special units have been activated to locate him.
Meanwhile, police officers are at Christiana High School providing victim support and counselling to the school community. The discovery has left the school in mourning, as Shantina was a second-form student on the afternoon shift.
Police say investigations are ongoing.
