Family of missing autistic teen losing hope as they await forensic results

By Zaya Williams

It has been six months since human remains were found during a search for autistic teen Shamar Harrigan.

To this day, the family of the Willikies boy is still unsure of whether or not he is still alive but as days go by they are slowly losing hope-finally coming to terms with the idea of him being dead.

Nineteen-year-old Harrigan was last seen on November 14, 2022.

Multiple searches were conducted by both air and land and a $5,000 reward was also offered by the St Philip’s North Member of Parliament Sir Robin Yearwood for useful information.

The family reported at the time that the boy had left home and needed his medication in order to survive.

They searched for several days but came up empty-handed.

However, In December 2022 during one of those searches, human remains along with some of Harrigan’s personal effects were found.

Clothes, shoes, and backpack—items he was last seen wearing—were discovered south of the Willikies salt pond.

Samples were sent abroad to confirm the identity of the corpse.

In the past, there have been instances where results take almost a year when sent overseas. The family reported that they were anxiously waiting for forensic results to finally bring some closure to the matter.

The forensic expert has also been in touch with the family, saying that they would do whatever is possible to ensure speedy results

Harrigan’s sister Shauntelle Barton said in an interview in May that her family, more specifically her mother may be finally coming to terms with suggestions that the remains found were that of Shamar. However they are still awaiting confirmation.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin said that the long wait time may soon be a thing of the past with the country getting its own lab soon.

He said a location has already been chosen and the lab could be up and running in a month or so.