Mandeville march marks nine months since Jaden Smith disappeared

Nine months after Manchester High School student Jaden Smith went missing, relatives and concerned citizens marched through the streets of Mandeville on Saturday morning to keep his case in the spotlight and renew calls for answers.

Participants wore purple shirts and carried photographs of the teenager as they moved through the town. Organisers said the gathering was meant to remind the public that Jaden remains unaccounted for and to press authorities for a clearer picture of where the investigation stands.

"We not hearing anything forthcoming from the people who should have give us any information, which is the police," one marcher said. "So, we're here today asking the police to revisit Jaden's case and to let the public know what happened to Jaden."

Jaden's mother was among those who took part. She spoke of sleepless nights and days when she could barely eat, but said she still believes her son is alive. She asked anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to report what they know to the nearest police station.

"Sleepless nights. Cannot eat sometime. Because in my mind, he's still out there. So, anyone out there have any information, please, I'm asking. Visit the nearest police station anywhere. I miss my son so much," she said.

Supporters also travelled from the Cayman Islands to stand with the family and the wider Mandeville community. One attendee said they hoped the Commissioner of Police, the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Education would work together to bring closure, stating that Jaden had been failed by several institutions. The same speaker expressed hope that Prime Minister Andrew Holness, as a father of two sons, would treat the teenager's disappearance with greater urgency.

Organisers said they hope the march will encourage anyone holding information to come forward and help bring closure to Jaden's family. They said they remain hopeful that the missing teen will one day return home.

Police said their investigations into Jaden Smith's disappearance are continuing. Authorities are urging anyone with information that could assist the probe to contact the nearest police station or Crime Stop.