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Jayden-Lee Meek, 11, was found dead a day after going missing from his Fleurhof complex. Police have opened an inquest.
Swazi’s Place in Fleurhof, where Jayden-Lee Meek was last seen after his transport dropped him off. Picture: Shaun Holland
The Gauteng police have opened an inquest into the death of an 11-year-old boy from Fleurhof, Johannesburg whose body was found on Wednesday after he went missing from home on Tuesday.
The Fleurhof community is demanding answers after Jayden-Lee Meek’s body was found early on Wednesday morning in the second-floor stairwell of his complex, Swazi’s Place. The boy’s body was reportedly still warm at the time.
“I want to let the person know that you will be brought to justice. It won’t bring him back but you will be brought to justice,” the boy’s tearful aunt told the media on Wednesday.
Fleurhof community demands answers for Jayden-Lee death
The boy went to school on Tuesday and was dropped off by scholar transport at the gates of his complex while his mother was working from home.
During a media briefing at the complex, Gauteng Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the boy’s mother was expecting him to come inside, but after an hour, she became alarmed that he was not coming in.
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Jayden-Lee’s mother informed her neighbours and community leaders, who quickly began searching for the boy. The family notified the police before 7pm, and officers quickly responded, according to Masondo.
Masondo said officers joined the community and the Community Police Forum in the search, but they could not find Jayden-Lee.
“Early this morning, one of the residents was moving out of her flat at around 6:05am. She then saw the child lying not far from the flat where the child was staying,” he said.
Jayden-Lee found dead in complex stairwell
The resident called the security guard who was on duty, and they called the mother, who wasn’t at home at the time. The family took Jayden-Lee to the hospital; however, doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival.
The police have launched preliminary investigations and opened an inquest docket. Masondo said the authorities escalated the matter to the provincial office due to its seriousness.
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“The provincial commissioner instructed his deputy, who’s responsible for crime detection, to establish a team immediately to get to what happened to the child,” Masondo said.
He added that experienced detectives have taken over the investigation.
“This is a case that we take very, very seriously, and we believe that given the chance, we will get to the bottom of it and know what really transpired,” he said.
Seasoned detectives take over investigation
The police spokesperson added that an inquest docket can be converted into a murder docket based on the information.
The Fleurhof community has called for a door-to-door search within the complex, where they discovered Jayden-Lee’s body.
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“This is a complex with a limited number of units; search all of them. The police don’t want to search the units,” a community member told eNCA.
In response, Masondo said there is a team of seasoned detectives who are dealing with the matter and asked that the community give them a chance to conduct their jobs.
‘Give us a chance’ – police
“We understand that the community wants to help, but for now, let them give us a chance,” he said.
“We understand the community is angry; the grandparents of the child are angry. We understand that, but please let them give us a chance because we don’t want to do anything that will compromise this investigation.”
The Florida CPF said it was saddened to hear that the boy passed away and said it will work closely with the family and authorities to make sure that the investigation is conducted thoroughly and respectfully.
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“Our hearts go out to his mother Tiffany, grandmother Debbie, and the entire Meek family. We cannot imagine your pain, but your community stands with you in this time of loss,” said a social media post.
“Thank you to everyone who helped search, prayed, and supported the family. Rest in peace, Jayden. You will always be remembered.”
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