STUDENT’S DEATH PROMPTS RASH OF RUMORS
By JOHN T. WARD
An 18-year-old senior at Red Bank Regional died suddenly at home early Monday morning, and authorities were racing to dispel rumors that she had been murdered, a police spokesman tells redbankgreeen.
Riyadhna Farrow (right, click to enlarge), was pronounced dead shortly after emergency personnel were summoned to her family home at the Montgomery Terrace Apartments at around 1:30 a.m., said Captain Darren McConnell.
Officers arriving on the scene found the girl unresponsive and attempted to revive her with CPR, McConnell said.
There were no signs of foul play, and authorities don’t believe Farrow took her own life, he said.
“It looks to be from natural causes, but we don’t yet know from what,” McConnell said. “The medical examiner has ruled it’s not a homicide, pending toxicology and small-tissue test results, and its not being looked at as a suicide, either.”
Farrow’s death, however, set off a wildfire of rumors at Little Silver-based RBR, many of which maintained that Farrow had been murdered, McConnell confirmed. Police asked members of the girl’s family to help spread the facts.
RBR Superintendent Jim Stefankiewicz tells redbankgreen that he announced a student’s death earlier today on the school website, but did not name the student or discuss the circumstances of the student’s death because he did not have complete information and wanted to let students and teachers know counseling services were available.
“Obviously, anytime you have a loss in your school community, many people, if not all people, are deeply impacted by that,” he said. “It’s traumatic.”
Here’s the text of the statement posted on the RBR website earlier today:
Dear Parent/Guardian:
It is with great regret that I inform you of the passing of a Red Bank Regional student over the weekend. This loss deeply saddens the entire community.
Please be aware that counseling services are available for students during the day through the Source and our school counselors. These services will be available on an ongoing basis for the students who need continued assistance and support.
In addition, please find resources to assist you in speaking with your child along with other services that are available.
Traumatic Loss Coalition – www.ubhc.edu/brti/tlc.htm
Children’s Mobile Response – 1-877-652-7624
Monmouth Medical Crisis Intervention – 732-923-6999
RBR will do all it can to support our students, staff, and families during this difficult time.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. Mrs. Clay, or your child’s counselor.
With great sadness,
Jim Stefankiewicz
Superintendent
