The St. Croix community is mourning the death of 16-year-old Jathan Giffard after the teenager was found unresponsive inside a residence at the Lorraine Village Apartments in Estate Grove Place on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The Virgin Islands Police Department said the emergency call was received around 5:42 p.m. after a woman reported finding her teenage son not breathing inside the apartment.
Police officers and Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services crews responded to the residence. Emergency personnel later confirmed that the teenager had died at the scene.
Giffard was identified by his next of kin as the 16-year-old who was found inside the residence.
Investigation Into Jathan Giffard’s Death
According to preliminary information released by police, Giffard was found hanging inside the apartment. However, authorities have not yet made a final determination about the cause or manner of his death.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. The Medical Examiner is expected to conduct an examination before an official determination is made.
Police have not released further details about what happened before Giffard was found or provided additional information about the circumstances of the death.
St. Croix Community Mourns
The teenager’s death has brought grief to his family, neighbors, and others in the Lorraine Village community. Loved ones are now facing the loss of a young life while investigators continue working to establish what happened.
Authorities are expected to release additional information if further findings become available. Until then, Giffard’s family is being given time and privacy to mourn.
Funeral and memorial arrangements for Jathan Giffard have not been publicly announced.
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