More Information

We want to share some additional information with you that clears up some unintentional rumors/errors that were reported before. We now have more of the facts. An autopsy was performed on Chepe's body and it was discovered that he did not have any water in his lungs, which means that he did not drown. He died of a heart attack. This came as a shock to us all. How could a seventeen year-old die of a heart attack? It must have been a sudden, massive heart attack. Chepe's mother said tonight that he was born with a heart condition but she never told Kendon and Wendy about it. About five or six years ago, Chepe complained of some chest pains so Wendy to him to see a cardiologist. The doctor said everything was fine and Chepe never complained of chest pains again.

Although this in no way diminishes the grief, I pray that these new findings will help alleviate some of the guilt that the homeparents and others who accompanied him on the trip yesterday are experiencing.

We just returned from the visitation which is being held at NLCH, in the teacher's lounge of the school. His closed casket is surrounded by flowers, a few candles, and some pictures of him. Some of the kids made a large collage of pictures and also many cards which decorated the walls. Students, teachers, friends, and many from the community have come to show support. It is the custom here for someone to stay with the casket all night so a vigil will be held throughout the night.

The funeral service will be held here tomorrow morning at 10 am. After the completion of the service, we will walk to a nearby cemetery for burial. I have been told that it is the custom here to stay as the casket is lowered into the ground, so please pray for this time, as I know it will be extremely difficult for the children to watch.

It may seem strange or morbid to post pictures on here of his casket, but I know many of you are grieving with us, have met Chepe, and wish you could be here for support. Therefore, I wanted to share pictures to help you feel a little more apart of what is going on here and hopefully help with your closure and grieving process.

Black cloths were hung on the front gate with the signs pictured below.

Signs announcing that school will be canceled tomorrow and Tuesday due to the death of a student and that the viewing would be held in the teachers' lounge.

Visitors waiting outside the teachers' lounge.

The casket with Chepe's picture on top and surrounded by flowers.

Chepe & Juan's mother.

Juan (Chepe's brother) and Daniel (one of the boys from the home).

Sylvia (the NLCH social worker), Kendon, Wendy, and Sylvia (the school principal)