ST THOMAS , Jamaica — Teyanna Sutherland, the 14-year-old girl who was chopped to death while on summer vacation in St Thomas, was laid to rest by her family on Saturday.

Shades of pink and purple adorned everything from the flowers to the chairs and even  the congregation at the Barking Lodge Primary School in St Thomas where the service was held.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Phillips bemoaned the senseless killing of the teen while speaking at the funeral.

“Today, we gather to mourn the loss of a precious life, a life that was brutally taken from us far too soon. Teyanna Sutherland, or Leah as she was known, was just 14 years old, just 14 years old with her whole life ahead of her. It was evident that she would be one of the stars of the future,” the cop said.

Teyanna was killed days after arriving in Jamaica by an assailant who gained access to her home and chopped her several times before fleeing.

READ: Suspect in murder of cop’s daughter fatally shot — police

Phillips reflected on the senseless loss of other children.

“As area commander, I’ve been seeing these situations from Daniel Rowe  in St Catherine South to Kelsey Ferrigon in St Catherine North and now Teyanna Sutherland in St Thomas. It pains my heart,” he said.

Kelsey was found dead in a barrel outside her home in May 2025  with police suspecting sexual abuse, while Danielle was abducted in June 2023 before her throat was slashed and she was left on the street by her attacker.

READ: ‘Kelsey was an angel’ 

READ: ‘Sheer evil’

Phillips urged residents to become more alert and protective of the nation’s children.

“It is a call, it is a call to action for all of us to be vigilant, to look out for one another, and to work together to create safer communities across Jamaica. But I want to urge the communities in St Thomas to wake up and smell the coffee. We are living in a world that demands our attention and our collective effort to protect our children,” he said.

Teyanna was buried in her family plot.

(Video: Llewellyn Wynter)