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Outpouring of grief for Rhiana

Rhiana Moore

A man arrested in St. David's on Saturday in connection with the death of 14-year-old Rhiana Moore remained in Police custody last night.

Rhiana's body was discovered at Blue Hole Hill nature reserve around 11 a.m. on Saturday by a passersby and tourists kayaking in the area.

Police have not ruled out foul play but refuse to confirm or deny whether there was any indication of sexual assault or to comment on apparent cause of death, citing the sensitive nature of the teen's death.

Police have also refused to release details of the man arrested in connection with her death as the investigation continues. A decision on whether to charge or release a suspect must be made within 72 hours of arrest, however.

Yesterday, Bermuda Police Service spokesman Dwayne Caines warned the public not to circulate emailed photographs of a possible suspect as it could hamper any future court case.

He said: "We are asking people to stop disseminating through the email system pictures of individuals they believe to be a suspect. In the murder of 14-year-old Rhiana Moore this is impeding the investigation and specific lines of inquiry that the investigators are following.

"Also, it can present potential trouble if that individual comes before the court and goes to trial. Potential jurors can be biased by having seen photographs of certain individuals beforehand."

Mr. Caines said: "Employers should also note a number of these pictures are coming from business emails and so we are encouraging companies with specific email policies to enforce them against their staff.

"With the advent of the Internet, email and instant messaging, we are noticing a new trend of individuals preempting the investigative and judicial process by disseminating information without its accuracy being checked to the general public. This must be stopped."

Police are urging anyone who may have seen or spoken to Rhiana on Friday, May 30 — especially after 9 p.m. — to contact them, but would not release her last known whereabouts or what the girl was wearing.

It is understood, however, that the teen was last seen around 8 p.m. on Friday night after attending a church-related youth meeting in Hamilton Parish.

Yesterday Rhiana, who had been a CedarBridge S1 student, was remembered by family, friends and schoolmates on a banner spray-painted 'RIP Rhiana' hanging from the school's gates first thing in the morning.

Her fellow schoolmates were in a mixture of tears and shock as they surveyed the sheet-size banner.

One note said: "Walk with God. He needs you now. You will be forever in our hearts." Many other comments expressed their love and how much they were going to miss her.

Margaret Hall, who has a 16-year-old son at CedarBridge, said she couldn't believe what had happened to such a young girl.

She said: "It's a very, very sad situation. You should not be going through stuff like this in Bermuda. Bermuda was always such a safe place."

Throughout the day grief counsellors were on hand for students and staff members who needed them and counsellors can also be reached by phone outside school hours, from 3.30 p.m. to 8.30 a.m.

Education Minister Randolph Horton met with CedarBridge principal Kalmar Richards yesterday morning before students arrived. He said: "The school has an excellent plan in place and I think they will have a good day because of the leadership and the solid plan in place.

"I just went there to support and to encourage them. I was very pleased with the atmosphere. It's very calm and early in the day yet.

"I think it's just tragic and I am saddened by this tragedy and you know it's important for those in the school in particular to show courage and compassion and caring, but also to be very strong."

An e-mail address has been established for parents and students to send their questions, rhiana@cedarbridge.doe.bm. The school's information systems manager also adjusted its system to allow students to express their thoughts and feelings on Facebook.

CedarBridge principal Kalmar Richards said in a release last night: "Although we are saddened by the tragic loss of Rhiana Moore, who was an exemplary member of our S1 student body, we have been strengthened by the support shown to us by the community as a whole. We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for our students, our faculty and our parents. On behalf of the CedarBridge Academy family, I would like to thank all of Bermuda for the assistance provided during what I can only call a tragedy affecting the entire community, not just the school family. Bermuda has truly lost one of her bright and upcoming stars. We will persevere, just as Rhiana would have done during difficult circumstances. "

Over the course of the day, students began wearing tags and badges in Rhiana's honour and last night tributes began appearing on Facebook. Two Facebook groups — "RIP Rhiana Moore" and "RIP Rhiana Moore... You Were Truly a Gem" — were quickly established.

Students from both CedarBridge and other Island schools wrote tributes to the slain teen on the first group. Some said, while they didn't know her personally, they had heard many good things about her and sent condolences.

"This is such an awful tragedy," wrote Diane Christie. "My heart goes out to your family. Rhianna I hope you rest in peace and that justice be dealt. God Bless you... a life taken way too soon."

Judy Cann Outerbridge added: "This is so sad, RIP Baby Girl."

Gail Lightbourne said: "My condolences to all the family and friends of Rhiana. Your life has impacted our community in a powerful way. May this be the turning point to bring our nation to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; that we may live lives filled with divine purpose."

The "RIP Rhiana Moore... You Were Truly a Gem" group was established by her cousin, Mickai Wainwright. The group's description reads: "We, the family and friends of Rhiana miss you very much, but we know you're in a better place."

Memorial: Friends of Rhiana Moore created a banner in remembrance of their friend who was found dead Saturday morning.