Updated: Central High student dead, grandmother and sister hospitalised, attacker commits suicide

Fourteen-year-old Leroy Hamilton, a student of Central High School in Clarendon, was burnt to death at his house in Stewarton Gully, Mocho early this morning.

The police say the house was reportedly set ablaze by 41-year-old Craig Lawrence, who also attacked Hamilton's 53-year-old grandmother and his 24-year-old sister.

It is said that Lawrence and the 24-year-old woman had a relationship.

The police say about 2:25 a.m Lawrence reportedly went to the family’s house and was refused entry.

He, however, gained entry to the house and then inflicted chop wounds to the 53-year-old woman’s face and right hand and then set the house on fire.

The 24-year-old woman reportedly received severe burns.

Hamilton’s burnt remains were found in the house during cooling down operations.

Lawrence's body was later found hanging from a rope at his house in the community.

Neighbours expressed shock that Lawrence could have carried out the vicious attack.

“He sells at a high school gate and he is a pleasant person. From interactions with him, he never seemed the type to do something like that. We definitely did not see this one coming,” one neighbour told The Gleaner.

According to her, the couple had “little arguments” from time to time, but nothing serious that would set off alarm bells.

Councillor the area Romaine Morris said it is a sad day for the community.

“My heart goes out to the family and I am using this tragic occasion to appeal to couples to find a better way to resolve your conflicts without it coming to this,” he said.

Note: In a previous version of this story it was reported that Lawrence chopped Hamilton's mother, set their house on fire and then chopped his grandmother as she ran from the premises. We apologise for the error.

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