Seventeen-year-old Ex-Classmate Charged with the Murder of Chryslin Gladden

Chryslin Gladden

Chryslin Gladden was murdered at the Lord Ridge cemetery on Friday night in a most vicious fashion and tonight there is a sensational arrest to report.  This morning, police confirmed that the motive behind the murder is hatred and jealousy. And after releasing a police officer held for questioning, late this afternoon investigators charged Ashley Meighan with murder based on an alleged caution statement.  The seventeen year old suspect is also a graduate from Wesley College with whom family members say Chryslin has had conflict. Ashley was seen socializing with Chryslin prior to her murder on Friday.  Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Sixteen year old Chryslin Gladden died from bronchial aspiration due to multiple stab wounds to the neck. That’s the result of an autopsy carried out on the body of the former Wesley College graduate on Monday afternoon. Her mutilated body was found after six on Saturday morning between two graves at the Lord Ridge Cemetery.

Sgt. Roberto Novelo, NCO, CIB, Precinct 2, Belize City Police

Sgt. Roberto Novelo

“She had several apparent stab wounds to the left side of the face and neck area and also to the abdomen area. Subsequently the body was transported to the K.H.M.H. where it was pronounced dead by the doctor. So far, our investigation reveals that the female had left her home of Friday, the first day of August, 2014 around seven o’clock p.m.”

According to police, she was later seen near Booth’s Crescent off Central American Boulevard socializing with a group of persons.  In an interview with Gladden’s cousin on Monday, she confirmed that in fact surveillance cameras captured Chryslin and another female graduate of Wesley High School, in the area. They believe that this person may be linked to the murder of their loved one.

Voice of: Rakeisha Smith, Cousin of Murder Victim [File: August 4th, 2014]

“Sunday morning to be exact, I went and did my own investigation. I went to Eighty-Eight and I asked them to rewind the camera because the young lady that she was with stated that she put my cousin in a cab in front of Belizean Drug Store and that was the last time she saw Chryslin. But when I went to Belizean Drug Store to query if he had cameras, he is a family friend, he stated when I showed him the picture, he said he saw Chryslin the said night with the said young lady at the store and the young lady purchased a Heineken and he saw them walking. And the cameras revealed the same thing. Chryslin wasn’t placed in any taxi. The cameras showed that the both of them walked the boulevard.”

Duane Moody

“This young lady was her friend?”

Voice of: Rakeisha Smith

“Not that I know of. The entire four years and Wesley College, it was misunderstanding [between the two]. The young lady used to thief her textbook, tear the pages out of her textbook. Chryslin would have come home to complain to her mom about what was happening, but the way how we were raised, we don’t fight fire with fire.”

But what was the motive behind the brutal murder of Chryslin?

Duane Moody

“Have you been able to ascertain what was the motive behind this? Why take the life of this sixteen year old?”

Sgt. Roberto Novelo

“We believe that this murder was as a result of jealousy and hatred.”

Duane Moody

“Sir, could you at least explain what led to that conclusion?”

Sgt. Roberto Novelo

“Based on our investigation, we conclude that. I cannot really disclose much of that at this time.”

An officer attached to precinct two of the Belize City Police Department was initially detained for questioning, but he has since been cleared of the crime. Sergeant Roberto Novelo confirmed today that charges may soon be levied upon two minors—a male and a female—who are currently in custody.

Sgt. Roberto Novelo

“So far, we have a female and a male person detained and we should hear positive results in the next hours. Indeed we had a police officer detained in connection with this murder, however, he has been cleared up; his name has been cleared up and he has been released. As I mentioned, we presently have one female and one male detained. And we are compiling the statements at this time and we’ll be forwarding it to the D.P.P. for legal advice.”

Late this evening, seventeen year old Ashley Meighan of Doris Brooks Street in Belize City was formally charged for the murder of Gladden. Police are seeking a man whom they believe can further assist in their investigations. Duane Moody for News Five.

Both cell phones that Gladden carried are still missing and so are some jewelry items. News Five understands that based on a tip from relatives, the police came up on some of the missing items including a Jordan slippers that Gladden wore before her life was viciously taken in the cemetery. And as we said, her acquaintance, Ashley has been charged with her murder and is to be arraigned on Wednesday.