Police said that a swimmer died early Thursday morning in a pond near Harvard, Massachusetts. The victim, identified as Jayden Liu was a 2022 Bromfield School graduate, who drowned while swimming with friends at Bare Hill Pond. According to a Harvard Police Department press release issued on Facebook Thursday afternoon, someone contacted 911 shortly after midnight to report that Liu was struggling and was no longer visible around 250 feet from the coast near Barba’s Point.
What happened?
Harvard police, fire, and EMS were summoned to the scene, arriving via the trail behind the Bromfield School that leads to the secluded position. The District 8 mutual assistance dive team supported the search for the missing swimmer by coordinating the operations of multiple local fire departments and rescue units with officers and emergency responders. To help with the search, the Harvard Public Safety Drone Team was also called in.
Around two in the morning, Liu’s body was found and recovered. Harvard Police Chief James Babu informed the Press over the phone on Thursday afternoon and via email that Liu and three friends had parked close to the tennis courts behind Bromfield and had walked to Barba’s Point, where they made the decision to swim together to a neighboring island. While the lads were swimming apart, Liu vanished from sight before he and his friends arrived at their destination.
It took searchers an hour to find his body under overcast skies and a waning moon that didn’t rise until after one in the morning. Babu stated that hypothermia was not a factor and that there were no indications of physical harm. But the reports from the state police and Harvard, he said, would not be made public until the district attorney for Worcester County gave his approval. It will take longer to receive the medical examiner’s report.
Students and their families received an email on Thursday morning from school superintendent Linda Dwight informing them of Liu’s passing. Dwight stated in her email that students may get therapy whenever they wanted it. On Thursday and Friday, counselors offered students a “drop-in support space” where they could speak with one another and with alumni.
Funeral Arrangements
Viewing will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 from 4pm – 7pm at Badger Funeral Home 347 King Str. Littleton, Massachusetts, 01460. Please consider sharing any photos, videos, and thoughts about Jayden through the Jayden Liu Memorial Facebook group: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/JAYDENLIUMEMORIAL
Donations in Jayden’s honor can be made in the following ways: CHECK:
THE JAYDEN LIU MEMORIAL FUND ROLLSTONE BANK & TRUST 283 AYER RD, HARVARD, ΜΑ 01451
VENMO: JAYDENLIU MEMORIALFUND @TONGQU
