Guyanese schoolgirl plunges to death in UK

Jan 17, 2012 News

– Brother doesn’t believe suicide reports
In what news reports said was an apparent suicide, a Guyanese schoolgirl who cherished hopes of

Dead: Wendy Macguire

becoming a lawyer, dropped to her death over one of the United Kingdom’s busiest roads Friday. Dead is 16-year-old Wendy Macguire.
However, her brother in Guyana does not believe his sister committed suicide.
News reports said that cars had to swerve as she fell from one of a number of footbridges over the A12 as it cuts through Leytonstone in East London.
The teenager was confirmed dead at the scene after emergency services were called to the stretch of road beneath the bridge between Gainsborough Road and Wallwood Road, UK news reports stated.
Over the weekend, dozens of floral tributes were left at the scene paying tribute to the schoolgirl.
Her brother, Wendell, told Kaieteur News that his sister was “too smart” to commit suicide. He said that one of his relatives, who attended the same school as Macguire, recalled that she and her friends drank “something” before the start of exams that day.
“The thing made her freak out,” the brother told this newspaper.
Macguire left Guyana when she was four years old, and returned five years ago for the funeral of her mother. She was just completing her school with hopes of going to college and pursuing education in law.
Macguire went to the Palmer Catholic Academy. The school was open on Saturday for any grief-stricken pupils who wanted to speak to a member of staff or counselor.
School head teacher Frank Maguire said: “I, my staff, governors and pupils of the school would like to extend their sympathy and heartfelt condolences to Wendy’s parents and family.
“Wendy’s death was an unspeakable tragedy that has also shocked the whole school community and is a sad loss of a young life.
“Wendy joined the school as an 11-year-old and has always been a bright, cheerful, hardworking girl.
“She had a very promising future ahead of her and was well liked by her teachers. She enjoyed a wide circle of friends and took part in all aspects of school life. May she rest in peace.”

Dozens of floral tributes are left at the bridge over the A12 at Leytonstone paying tribute to schoolgirl Wendy Maguire.

One bystander, Saidaa Shariff, said it was “tragic” to have witnessed the teenager in the road before emergency services arrived.
“The image of that poor girl will haunt me forever and my deepest sympathy goes out to all family and friends concerned,” Shariff stated.
Macguire’s school is located three miles from where she fell to her death.