00:00It is with deep sorrow that I confirm the tragic death of Christopher Benjamin Robert James
00:05McBurney who was just 14 years of age. Our thoughts, heartfelt condolences and deepest
00:12sympathy with the family, friends and loved ones during this extremely sad and incredibly difficult
00:18time. Specialist officers are supporting Christopher's family and will continue to do
00:24so throughout the investigation. At 3.38pm on Thursday the 29th of May 2025, emergency services
00:33responded to an incident in the area of Close Dream Ramsey where Christopher was found collapsed
00:39and despite the valiant efforts of members of the public, our officers, the Fire and Rescue
00:44Service and paramedics, they were unable to save Christopher. And whilst they were pronounced
00:49deceased at the scene, the official cause of death will be determined by a Home Office
00:54pathologist in due course. A murder investigation has been launched and I can confirm that a
01:01juvenile suspect has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is detained in custody. We're
01:08aware that imagery of this incident was recorded by witnesses in the vicinity and is now featuring
01:14on social media platforms and being shared predominantly amongst teenagers. I'm mindful that social media
01:22features in all of our lives in one way or another but that should not mean that our values and respect for
01:28one another as a community should be compromised and enable rumour and speculation to flourish.
01:36I would ask that people refrain from disputing such imagery which is likely to cause significant
01:41distress and increased tension in a community which is already shocked by the magnitude of an occurrence
01:48which is extremely rare for the Isle of Man. I would like to take this opportunity to appeal
01:54for calm and allow the investigation team to conduct a thorough and professional investigation.
02:01If you have recorded images and have witnessed the incident, I would urge you to come forward to assist the
02:08police in this investigation. I respectfully ask that the public and media respect the privacy of all
02:16those affected, particularly the family and friends of Christopher and to refrain from speculation as the
02:22investigation continues in its quest to determine exactly what has occurred.
02:26I do not underestimate the adverse impact that this tragedy has caused to many across the island and I want
02:34to reassure the public that we are working closely with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture,
02:39the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department of Home Affairs, the Cabinet Office and other third sector organisations to mobilise professional support to those affected.
02:50Support services are being made available to Christopher's family, his friends and the wider community.
02:58Anyone who feels they need immediate support should contact the crisis response and home treatment team.
03:07St Christopher's, the youth service and I'll Listen are also providing support with Streetwise officers and are opening youth drop-in centres across the island between 1pm and 5pm next week.
03:18Commencing Monday the 2nd June, a new talk service will be available for children under 16 across the island.
03:27All relevant details and information for support will accompany this media release.
03:34Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact police on 631 212
03:40or contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 511 where your call will be treated in the strictest confidence.
03:49We thank the community for their support and cooperation.
