Drug warning after suspicious death of teenage boy

Monday 07 April 2014

Police and health agencies have urged drug users to be careful after a 17-year-old boy was found dead at a house in St Helier on Saturday morning.

The Police say they think Jared John Widdowfield Harrison had been taking a white powder, purported to be MDMA. Two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of importing a controlled substance, but have now been released on bail.

Earlier on Saturday, police said that Jared was found dead after they were called at 6 am by paramedics at a town address. They say that three other young men found at the house were taken to hospital. Two of them have been discharged.

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Fossey warned anyone who had purchased the powder not to take it.

She said: "Whilst this is an active investigation and we are limited in what we can say while that continues, we need to warn people of the dangers of taking any drug, in particular this one.

"If you have purchased this drug please do not take it, and please call us with any information relating to its origin either through the CID number of 612200 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

Police officers have confirmed that a 39-year-old woman spent part of Saturday afternoon at the police station helping officers with their inquiries, but have emphasised that she has not been arrested.

Jared's family have been informed of his death, and are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers.