Michelle-Ann Letman, Staff Reporter

A crowd gathers near the scene, where a body suspected to be that of Ananda Dean was found in Cyprus Hall, Belvedere, St Andrew. Firefighters helped to pull the body from the precipice. - Norman Grindley/Acting Photography Editor

It was a dark and gloomy day in the community of Cyprus Hall, Belvedere, St Andrew, late yesterday morning, where a body was found, suspected to be that of Ananda Dean.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Carol McKenzie, who is attached to the Constant Spring Police Station, the relevant forensic tests will have to be carried out to confirm whether the body is indeed that of the young girl.

Although still hoping and praying that 11-year-old Ananda, who went missing on September 17, is still alive, family members gathered at the scene where the decomposing body had to be hauled from a precipice by a fire brigade truck.

One relative told The Gleaner that a shoe and sock, along with a uniform found at the scene, belonged to the grade-six student of Swallowfield Primary and Junior High School.

She was reported missing on September with 17 by her aunt, Tameka Campbell, whom she lived with.

The stench and the state of the body proved unbearable for some relatives who had to leave the scene yesterday.

Gruesome sight

A relative of Ananda who spoke to The Gleaner on terms of anonymity was among the group who could not withstand the gruesome sight.

"She was so little, so little," she repeated, describing Ananda as jovial and bright.

The gruesome find has left Ananda's father, Richard Dean, in a state of shock and confusion.

"Mi just cyan believe seh a she," he told The Gleaner, struggling to get the words out as his voice trembled from crying.

"I'm still looking to see her come home one day and seh 'Daddy'."

He and his mother, Dorcy Williams, were at church when they received news that a body was found.

Dean said because of the state of decomposition, he could not identify her, but it was her aunt who told him it had to be her.

Deeply saddened

Member of Parliament for the constituency of North Central St Andrew, Karl Samuda, told The Gleaner, shortly after the body was found approximately 11:30 a.m., that he was deeply saddened by the incident.

"It is absolutely devastating what is happening in our society," he said.

Samuda said he would try to offer whatever assistance he could to the family in their time of mourning.

A man looks over the precipice in Cyprus Hall, Belvedere, St Andrew, where a body, suspected to be that of Ananda Dean was found yesterday. - - Norman Grindley/Acting Photography Editor