Dear Editor,
I am writing with a heavy heart and deep concern in response to the recent article published on April 2nd, 2024, which mournfully recounts the untimely passing of Jared Jagnandan. As someone who had the privilege of knowing Jared and his family circle, I am profoundly saddened by this devastating loss. Jared’s departure from this world at the tender age of 18 is a tragedy that has left us all reeling with shock and sorrow. It is difficult to fathom the pain and anguish that his parents, as well as his siblings, especially his 16-year-old sister, must be enduring. The loss of a child is a burden no parent should ever have to bear, and my heart goes out to them in this unimaginably difficult time.
Jared was not just another statistic; he was a vibrant and promising young man, brimming with intelligence, ambition, and kindness. In the short time that I had the pleasure of knowing him, Jared made a lasting impression on me and my family. His presence illuminated our lives, and his absence has left an irreplaceable void. The circumstances surrounding Jared’s passing are profoundly troubling and necessitate thorough scrutiny by all relevant authorities. The wheels of justice must not be allowed to languish in lethargy when tasked with holding culpable parties accountable for such grievous injustices. It is indeed imperative that those found complicit in extinguishing the flame of Jared’s promising future are swiftly and impartially brought to justice.
As a community, we owe it to Jared and his family to pursue justice and closure, recognizing that this is not an isolated incident. Tragically, our newspapers are saturated weekly with the senseless loss of the lives of our young people—our future. It is my fervent hope that this particular case can serve as a benchmark, setting a standard for justice while thwarting the efforts of those who defy the law or act recklessly to inflict harm upon our precious children and the future they represent. In times of such profound loss and sorrow, it is essential that we come together as a society to provide comfort and support to those in need. It is essential for us to demand justice. My thoughts and prayers are with the Jagnandan family during this difficult period. Again, I urge the authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into Jared’s death, so that his family may find the answers and closure they so desperately seek.
May Jared’s memory be a source of solace and inspiration to us all, and may his legacy continue to shine brightly in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
Sincerely,
Nadezhda Stephens
