Three pupils from a boys’ school on the island of Jersey have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a fellow student.
Morgan Huelin, 16, was found unconscious on a road in the parish of Trinity, in the centre of the island, on Sunday morning and was pronounced dead at hospital.
The States of Jersey police arrested three male suspects – two aged 16 and one 15 – at a property close to where Morgan was found. The force said they attended Victoria college in the capital, St Helier, which Morgan also attended.
A further two suspects, both 16-year-old boys, were arrested later; the force has not said whether they go to the same school.
More than 20 officers are working on the case, carrying out searches, house-to-house inquiries and forensic examinations. Officers were also at the school making inquiries and supporting staff.
A multi-agency critical incident briefing was held with staff from the school, the education department, the youth service and the health and children’s service.
DS Stewart Gull said: “The loss of a young person in any circumstance is very sad. He was found by a lady who was out walking her dog. She is OK, under the circumstances; she is a key and significant witness and we are in the process of obtaining a witness statement.”
He said students, staff and members of the wider community were devastated by what had happened.
Police have not yet revealed how the teenager died. A Home Office postmortem examination is expected to be carried out on Tuesday.
A school spokesman said: “Following the tragic events of this weekend, Victoria college would like to extend its sincerest sympathy to the family of the boy concerned.
“Our priority at this time is to support our students, their families and our staff, and appropriate support is being put in place. The school is working very closely with the States of Jersey police on the continuing investigation and, in view of this, there will be no further comment from the school at the moment.”
Founded in 1852, Victoria college caters for boys aged seven to 18. According to the school’s website, it “offers an educational environment of the highest order”.
Alun Watkins, the school’s headmaster, said Morgan was a “genuinely honest and good-natured young man”.
He said: “The staff and governors of Victoria college would like to extend their heartfelt condolences and prayers to the parents, family and friends of Morgan Huelin, who has left us under such tragic circumstances.
“Morgan was highly respected by both staff and his peers at the college, not least because of his academic ability, charismatic personality and strong sense of independence. The college will do all it can to offer support to those pupils, staff and families who have been affected by these heartbreaking events.”
Later the five young men arrested on suspicion of murder were released on police bail until 10 August. The police investigation continues.
