Drowned siblings Jadon and Tiana DeCourte laid to rest

Mar 15, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The bodies of 10-year-old Jadon DeCourte and eight-year-old Tiana DeCourte were laid to rest on Saturday at the Bachelor’s Adventure Burial Ground.

Hundreds of mourners gathered despite persistent rain to bid farewell to the young siblings whose tragic deaths plunged their community into deep mourning.

Residents, relatives, schoolmates and friends came out in solidarity with the grieving family, offering comfort and support to the parents as they said their final goodbye to the children whose story has touched hearts across the country.

Jadon and Tiana, residents of Lot 17 Melanie Public Road, East Coast Demerara, and students at Paradise Primary School, died on March 3 after drowning in a trench behind the Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) pump station at Bachelor’s Adventure. The tragedy unfolded during what had become an annual family tradition of celebrating Phagwah together.

Reports indicated that Tiana had slipped into the trench while attempting to fill a water gun. Her brother Jadon, upon seeing his sister fall into the water, reportedly attempted to rescue her. Tragically, both children drowned.

Their lifeless bodies were eventually pulled from the water by their uncle, surrounded by grieving family members including their grandmother Coram DeCourte and their mother Tesha DeCourte, as well as neighbours and nearby residents who rushed to the scene.

The story of Jadon’s attempt to save his sister has since resonated deeply with the public, many describing it as the truest form of a brother’s love and sacrifice.

On the day of the funeral, mourners gathered in large numbers, many dressed in pink in honour of Tiana and blue in honour of Jadon. Several wore shirts bearing the images of the children, while others carried flowers as a final tribute.

The funeral proceedings began at 11:00 hrs at Jerrick’s Funeral Home, where a large crowd had assembled long before the service officially began.

From there, the mourners moved to the Melanie Ball Field, located opposite the trench where the children lost their lives, a place filled with memories of their childhood.

During the viewing, the children’s mother Tesha DeCourte appeared visibly broken and distraught. Overcome with emotion, she broke down in tears beside her daughter’s casket, at one point holding Tiana’s hand and struggling to let go.

Meanwhile, their father Jason DeCourte moved between both caskets, appearing stunned and still grappling with the reality of his children’s passing.

Tiana’s twin sister, Tia, remained close to her sister’s casket throughout the viewing, quietly mourning beside her.

As members of the public passed by the caskets to pay their respects, many wept openly and shared words of comfort with the grieving family. The public viewing lasted for an hour, from 12:30 hrs to 13:30 hrs.

Following the viewing, the funeral procession moved to the Bethel Wesleyan Church where the official funeral service was held.

By the time the procession arrived, the crowd had grown significantly, filling both the inside and outside of the church.

Several members of the parliamentary opposition attended the service to offer condolences to the family, including Aubrey Norton, leader of the A Partnership for National Unity.

In a brief tribute, Norton reflected on the tragic loss.

“Children are the gems of the world. We lost two gems and I am saddened by it. We need to be very careful,” he said.

Also present were Members of Parliament Sherod Duncan, Vinceroy Jordan, David Hinds, Nema Flue-Bess and Dexter Todd, along with former Member of Parliament Simona Broomes.

No government officials were present at the service.

Throughout the funeral, several tributes were delivered in honour of the siblings, including heartfelt poems, songs and personal reflections from those who knew them.

One musical tribute included the song Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston.

A student speaking on behalf of Paradise Primary School shared the grief felt by teachers and students following the loss.

“Speaking on behalf of Miss Lams of Paradise Primary, I am paying my last respect for Jadon and Tiana, my fellow students. Paradise Primary School will not be the same without Jadon and Tiana. Jadon and Tiana will dearly be missed by Miss Lam and the children of Paradise Primary. We will always love you and you will be missed by us. May their souls rest in peace,” the student said.

A close family friend, Roy Stewart, also recalled his last interaction with the children.

“These children were close friends to my kids. They played in our yard. That day it shook me to the core of my existence. Jadon was my boy. I was at a shop and Jadon came out to me saying, ‘Hey brother Roy.’ I asked him how he was doing and that was the last I spoke to him,” he said.

During the service, Jadon was remembered as a brave and respectful boy who had strong values instilled in him from a young age, values that many said were reflected in his attempt to save his sister.

Speakers also comforted the children’s mother, reminding her that she had raised her children with love and care.

Throughout the tributes, Tesha DeCourte sat quietly, often appearing numb with grief while holding her daughter Tia close to her side.

The atmosphere in the church was filled with deep sorrow as mourners wept openly during the final prayers.

Following the service, the hearses departed the church and made their way to the Bachelor’s Adventure Burial Ground, where the siblings were laid to rest.

At the graveside, Tiana’s pink casket and Jadon’s blue casket were gently placed side by side into their tomb, bringing a solemn close to lives that had touched the hearts of their community and the nation.

Tiana would have celebrated her ninth birthday on March 21, while Jadon had celebrated his birthday earlier this year in January.

Family members described the children as loving, helpful and inseparable, two siblings whose bond in life remained evident even in the tragedy that ultimately took them both.

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• drowned, Jadon, siblings, Tiana DeCourte

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