GRAVESEND: Mystery surrounds death of 14-year-old boy

9:15am Monday 23rd November 2009

By Michael Purton

MYSTERY surrounds the death of a 14-year-old boy who was found dead in a town centre house on Friday morning.

Police were called to a flat in a house in Parrock Street, Gravesend, in the early hours after the body of Edward Barry was discovered.

An investigation has been launched, with officers treating the death as unexplained, and a post mortem carried out on Saturday could not conclusively say how Edward died.

A Kent police spokeswoman said: “We are awaiting the results of a toxicology report and investigations continue.”

Neighbours of the house where Edward’s body was found say he did not live there and was one of a number of teenagers who frequently came and went from the property.

Flowers with messages of condolence were left outside the house over the weekend.

Edward was a pupil at Gravesend Grammar School in Church Walk, Gravesend, and headteacher Geoff Wybar says "staff and students are very upset”.

He said: “Students, staff and the whole school community at Gravesend Grammar School were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of Edward Barry last Friday.

“He was an intelligent and sensitive youngster who often showed great levels of maturity.

“Teachers and friends of Edward’s were informed of his death on Monday and are being helped to come to terms with this tragedy.

“The thoughts of all involved with the school are with his family in this darkest of times.”

Two tribute groups, each titled R.I.P. Edward Barry, have been set up on social networking website Facebook and have a total of more than 200 members.

Among messages left are one by Edward’s friend Stacey Manley, who commented on his love of skateboarding in Lord Street car park in Gravesend town centre.

She wrote: “Walked Past Lord Street Yesterday I Could Just Imagine You Skating Around There With Your Top Off Like You Used Too!

“Seeing Your Flowers Just Made Things Hit That Your Gone. Everyones So Taken By Our Loss ! Rest In Peace Edward ! Sleep Tight.”

Charlotte Lawrence wrote: “you were truly loved; like a star in the sky; you made everyones wishes come true; thinking about you made everyone smile; now your gone; it's like the stars have faded away.”

Another friend, Sophie Boote, wrote that Edward was “too young” to have passed away.

She added “it makes you take life a bit more seriously when this stuff happens”.