Updated June 1, 2024, at 9 p.m.
Jayden Liu, a 2022 graduate of the Bromfield School, drowned Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, May 30, while swimming with friends at Bare Hill Pond.
According to a news release posted on Facebook by the Harvard Police Department Thursday afternoon, someone called 911 shortly after midnight to report that Liu had been struggling and was no longer visible approximately 250 feet from the shoreline near Barba’s Point.
Harvard police, fire, and EMS were dispatched to the location and reached the site via the trail behind the Bromfield School that leads to the isolated point.
Officers and emergency responders were assisted by the District 8 mutual aid dive team, who coordinated the efforts of several area fire departments and rescue units in their search for the missing swimmer. The Harvard Public Safety Drone Team was also activated to aid in the search.
Liu’s body was located and recovered at approximately 2:09 a.m., according to Thursday’s news release.
In a Thursday afternoon phone call and follow-up email exchange, Harvard Police Chief James Babu told the Press that Liu and three friends had parked near the tennis courts behind Bromfield and walked to Barba’s Point, where they decided to swim as a group to a nearby island. The boys separated as they swam and during this time Liu disappeared before he and his companions reached their destination.
Under cloudy skies and a waning moon that didn’t rise until after 1 a.m., it took searchers an hour to locate his body. Babu said there were no signs of physical injury and hypothermia was not a factor. However, he said, the reports of the Harvard and state police would not be available until the Worcester County district attorney approves their release. The report of the medical examiner will take longer.
School Superintendent Linda Dwight informed students and their families of Liu’s death in an email Thursday morning. In her email, Dwight said counseling was available to students as needed. Counselors hosted a “drop-in support space” for students on Thursday and Friday; alumni were invited to meet together in this space as well.
Thursday afternoon, two of Liu’s former soccer teammates, Theo Bradley and Geraghty Vellante, left a photo, flowers, and a wicker basket with paper and pencil for notes of remembrance on the Common. At Barba’s Point, someone had left flowers, a photo, and a card that read, “Love you, Jayden.”
On Saturday, the family opened a Jayden Liu Memorial group on Facebook (https://tinyurl.com/jaydenliumemorial ) where friends are invited to celebrate his life.
Funeral arrangements are being made by Badger Funeral Home of Littleton. A viewing is scheduled for June 5 from 4 until 7 p.m.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated June 1 at 9 p.m..
Memorial on the Common for Jayden Liu. (Photo by Jen Manell)
