Police confirm body is missing teen Leanna Napoleon

The body of missing teenager Leanna Napoloeon has been discovered by police in the Olivees area.

Officers found her – reportedly still wearing her school uniform – in a shallow grave.

The Basseterre High School student was last seen on 8 May.

One person has been taken into custody and police have said he is assisting with the investigation. Unconfirmed reports are that the suspect is her brother.

He was questioned numerous times during the investigation.

Information passed to WIC News earlier today indicates that she was “wrapped and partly decomposed” – leading investigators to believe that she was held captive during her time missing.

Ian M Queeley, commissioner of police, said: "This is not the outcome we were hoping for, our hearts go out to the family and friends of Leanna Napoleon. 

'Nation's loss'

"We hope that the family can begin the healing process and find some closure.  As commissioner, I ask the general public to be sensitive and keep the family in their thoughts and prayers."

Prime Minister Timothy Harris expressed his sadness at the news.

“The loss of Leanna is her family’s loss, and it is also the nation’s loss. The death of a young person, in particular, is most significant and traumatic," he said.

"Our young people represent the future of this country and when their lives are cut short, their potential remains under-developed and untapped, much to the detriment of our country."

Harris also extended his condolences to Leanna's family, classmates and teachers, and thanked all those who had contributed to the "aggressive searches" for her.

Denzil Douglas, leader of the opposition and former prime minister, told WIC News that the news confirming Leanna's death was relayed to him during a debate in parliament.

"It has been a very, very sad day for us in St Kitts and Nevis," he said.

"[The discovery] has brought to an end six weeks of agony and pain, not only for the adopted parents, family members and friends of Leanna, but to a large extent for all of the people of St Kitts and Nevis.

"Leanna, a 17-year-old school child, having left home for her secondary school examinations, should not have been found in this way. This is the view of all of the citizens of St Kitts and Nevis.

"Although I'm sure that it might begin the process of closure and some healing of the families and friends who have suffered this great loss it nevertheless cannot bring comfort and it cannot relieve the pain that we all feel here as a nation."