Trowbridge school in shock over second death

Trowbridge is a town in shock as news hit last week that a second schoolgirl from the John of Gaunt School had been found dead at her home.

Francis Scane, a year 11 student from John of Gaunt School was found dead in her home on Saturday 11th of September. The news in itself of Francis is shocking and upsetting, but what is more disturbing to realise is the fact that this is the second death of a teenage girl from the school in the last four months. Back in May, 13-year-old Zina Hereward-Isaac, was found dead at

her home in Trowbridge.

The news of the two deaths has shocked not just those at the school, but the entire town and county.

Speaking to The Wiltshire Times, headteacher of John of Gaunt School, Andy Packer said of speaking to his students after the news, “I told them they shouldn’t be quiet. I wanted them to be light, I

wanted them to laugh and to play football. They, like all the students,

have responded magnificently.”

A concerned parent, who didn't wish to be named said to us, "It's a very worrying time. As a parent I am shocked that this has happened to two such young girls."

Facebook has become a vital area for the friends and family of Zina Hereward Isaac and Francis Scane to share their memories of these two young girls who were taken from us.

As if the news of the death of Francis wasn't shocking enough, news has filtered though that a memorial bench for Francis was burnt down. It isn't clear at the moment if the act was deliberate or not, but as you can imagine feelings are running high amongst the people of the town, with the news on Facebook receiving 77 comments when this article was written.

A statement by Wiltshire Council on the page read: "Investigations

into the cause of the fire last night are currently being conducted by

the police, but at this stage it is NOT believed to be suspicious.

We can confirm that police and fire attended the report of a hedge and bench on fire to ...the

rear of John of Gaunt School at around 8.50pm on Thursday, September

16. There were no injuries to any persons and the fire was contained

within a small area, however it did unfortunately destroy a memorial

bench dedicated to Francis Scane, who tragically died last Saturday,

September 11."

At Trowbridge People, our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy.