Women and other mourners wailed when they noticed that a gown Teh purchased for his graduation was being used as (shroud/a winding sheet) as his burial cloth. Teh had successfully passed the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), and had already paid his graduation fees.
A wave of grief has engulfed the Lawrenceville Community in Fish Town following the death of a graduation senior. The situation became explosive when a prospective graduate of Tweh Jaikaily High School suddenly died, while three of his family members were rushed to the Fish Town Referral Hospital early Thursday morning, October 15 when they fell unconscious.
The deceased has been identified as Theophilus S. Teh, a 12th grade student of the Government-run Tweh Jaikaily High School. Women and other mourners wailed when they noticed that a gown Teh purchased for his graduation was used as (shroud/a winding sheet) as his burial cloth.
According to the school administration, Theophilus had successfully passed the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), and had already paid his graduation fees. He was among students preparing for the school’s upcoming commencement ceremony.
“With deep sorrow, we mourn the loss of our dear brother Teh, a humble and promising young man, whose future was bright with purpose. We have lost a classmate and son,” the administration posted. The three other victims have been identified as Irene Teh, sister of the deceased, Hawa Teh, daughter of Irene, and a male grandchild (not named). They are currently undergoing treatment at the Fish Town Referral Hospital. Family sources and community residents said, the incident occurred around the early hours of Thursday while the family was asleep in their three-bedroom in Lawrenceville.
Preliminary information gathered by a joint investigation team comprising the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) River Gee Office, the Liberia National Police (LNP), and health workers linked the tragedy to generator fumes. Reports suggest that there was an interruption in electricity supply from LibEnergy to Fish Town at about 11:15 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14. The situation reportedly prompted many residents, including the affected family, to switch to private generators. It is alleged that the family’s generator was placed along the corridor inside the house, and left running overnight while they slept.
Investigators have examined whether carbon monoxide fumes from the generator led to suffocation.
Investigation continues.
