The tight-knit Portsmouth community is still reeling from the tragic murder of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul, a beloved young participant in local youth programs, and local football club Portsmouth Bombers FC has announced that their upcoming Premier Division match will serve as a public tribute to the teenager’s life.
The Bombers are set to face off against Dublanc FC this Sunday at Benjamin Park, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 PM. Organizers and community members alike anticipate the evening will be a deeply moving combination of competitive sport and collective remembrance for a life cut far too short.
Before the first whistle blows, a structured commemorative ceremony will take place. Players from both sides, match officials, and all spectators in attendance will join the Young and Talented Flag Wavers of Portsmouth, a local youth group Paul was an active member of, to hold a minute of silence in her honor. Paul was widely regarded as a valued, contributing member of the organization, celebrated for her enthusiasm and commitment to community youth activities. Leaders of Portsmouth Bombers FC have stated that the team will take to the pitch with focused determination, carrying Paul’s memory with them throughout the match.
The tragedy that has shaken the community unfolded over several weeks. Paul was first reported missing to local authorities on July 24, triggering a multi-week search effort that drew participation from community volunteers and law enforcement alike. On August 12, her remains were discovered in the Capuchin region, and police soon confirmed that her death was a homicide.
In the weeks following the discovery, two sitting police officers have been formally charged in connection with Paul’s murder. Twenty-three-year-old Jean-Luc Langlais was first charged on August 13, followed by a second suspect, Joshua Hamlet, who was charged four days later on August 17. Both men have been remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear back in court for their next hearing on October 2.
For the Portsmouth community, still grappling with shock and grief over the violent death of a young local resident, Sunday’s football fixture has grown beyond a regular sporting event. It will stand as a moment for neighbors, friends, and community members to come together in collective solidarity, mourn their loss, and honor the memory of Jerbiah Paul.