Funeral held this morning
Neighbors and police have identified the 16-year-old girl found at Hill’s Pond on an overly warm Patriots Day as Shaira Ali, a former Ottoson student who attended private school.
Arlington police released the name at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, after neighbors said the family has been told and they had asked that their daughter be remembered.
One neighbor said youths spent the evening of Monday, April 16, collecting memories for the parents.
“About 20 of Shaira’s friends spent the day together supporting each other and ended the evening with a 3-4 hour vigil at Menotomy Rocks Park, floating candles on the pond and talking and singing together,” one wrote to the Arlington email list on Tuesday, April 17, in a post published with permission.
“There are more opportunities being set up for her friends to get together in the next few days. I think these young people are handling this well.
“I too, remember her as you do. Bright, beautiful, kind, self-possessed, gentle, aware.
“Blessings to her, her family and friends.”
“Everyone loved Shaira”
Karen Dillon, an Arlington artist, posted comments to the email list April 17, which are republished with her permission:
“I have mixed feeling about speaking up and trying to pay an adequate tribute to Shaira here on the list but feel compelled to share my impressions of her with those who may not have known her. When I worked at Arlington Center for the Arts last summer, Shaira was a counselor.
“I worked closely with her for many weeks. At first, I thought she was in college, because she was so centered, composed and mature. I was astonished to find out she was only 15!
“She spent a few weeks working with the very littlest children and a few weeks working with the older children. Everyone one loved Shaira, teachers, children counselors. She was a talented and amazing artist. She was quiet, compassionate and very, very kind. At the end of the summer, I asked the teaching staff to provide feedback on the counselors. Shaira received glowing reports across the chart. All adored her.
“In fact, I contacted her about working this summer and told her that I would offer her as much time as I possibly could because she was so well loved at ACA.
“Who can possible know and understand the pain, suffering and heartache of others? I am sure that no one can understand the depth of another’s despair.
“All I know is that the Shaira I knew last summer, had a heart of gold and was kind to all she encountered. This is how I will remember her, mourn her and mourn the loss of the world without her goodness.
“I hope you who may not have had the opportunity to know her will realize that she was an exceptional, brilliant, kind and gentle spirit. A young woman with much, much promise.
“May her memory be a blessing.”
Ali has two younger siblings who are students in Arlingotn public schools.
Park closed temporarily
Arlington police temporarily closed Menotomy Rocks Park while conducting a missing-person’s investigation for the on April 16. The victim was discovered about 12:30 p.m. submerged in about 6 feet of water by Arlington Police and Fire Department officials.
Arlington Police investigators had tracked the victim’s location to the Hill’s Pond area inside Menotomy Rocks Park by following her cellular phone signal. After responding to the area Arlington Police found further evidence leading them to believe that the victim may be in Hill’s Pond.
Menotomy Rocks Park is a popular recreational area particularly on holidays such as Patriots Day.
Police Chief Frederick Ryan said in a news release, “This was a troubling event for Arlington residents and other park visitors to witness as Arlington investigators recovered the victim and other evidence from the pond.”
Ryan told Boston.com on April 16 that police suspect the cause was suicide.
The girl, who was not a student at Arlington High School, was last seen with friends in Arlington last night around 8 at an undisclosed location, Ryan told Boston.com. The girl’s family reported her missing around 10 a.m. April 16.
Police found clothing and other evidence suggesting she could be in danger, Ryan said.
Beginning at 11:49 a.m. April 16, residents began asking on the Arlington email list why helciopters were flying over Arlington. The State Police had been called in to investigate reports of a missing person.
Ryan said firefighters and police spotted the girl submerged in Hill’s Pond around 12:30 p.m. and called for a medical examiner.
Police release name
In an email at 1:20 April 17, Ryan wrote that “both the Advocate and Yourarlington have requested the identity of the victim of yesterday’s suspected suicide. Given that this incident is not suspected to have involved a criminal act, the Arlington Police Department goes to extraordinary measures to protect the identity of the victim. However, in this instance, the victim’s family has authorized the release of the victim’s identity.
“Her identity is as follows: Shaira Ali, age: 16
“The Arlington Police Department, through its mental health clinician, has been providing around-the-clock support and resources to the Ali family and we ask that the media, as well as intentioned residents, respect their privacy as they grieve the loss of their beloved daughter.
“Information relative to the services for Ms. Ali will be posted at the Islamic Center of Boston website in the very near future. The link is www.icbwayland.org.
Resources: Mourning Dove Studio, Children’s Room
Ruth Faas wrote to the Arlington list April 17:
“I was so sad to take my usual dog walk to Menotomy Rocks Park this morning, after Shaira’s death yesterday. I didn’t know her but a death like this, especially, touches us all. Thank you for your lovely, loving posting here about her, Karen. It was helpful to hear of the vigil kept by her friends, too. All best wishes to her family and friends.
“I am at Mourning Dove Studio today, Tuesday, from 10-2, and I would be glad to open it up at other times if anyone would like to come in to use any of the resources here.
It has books about suicide and how to talk with children about death. Studio space is available to use art for commemoration or as a tool to grapple with what has happened. There is no charge for the resource room use, and the art studio space use is by donation.
Consider also The Children’s Room in Arlington, which offers resources like a lending library as well as ongoing in-depth programming.
Bodie offers sympathy, suggestions
In an email to parents and guardians April 17, Superitendent Kathleen Bodie wrote:
“We were saddened to learn of the suspected suicide of Shaira Ali, a former Arlington Public School student and the older sister of two current Arlington students. At this most difficult time we extend our heartfelt sympathy to her family and remember Shaira with fondness and affection.
“Many children have been or will be affected by this news so we encourage you to be especially sensitive and prepared to offer support to your child during this time. Over the next few days, encourage your child to express his/her feelings. Listen attentively. You may see behavior changes, loss of concentration, physical complaints, or regression.
“If you have concerns regarding your child’s reaction, counselors will be available at the Ottoson Middle School tomorrow Wednesday April 18 from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM to listen to the concerns of children of all ages.
“For additional support, we suggest that you also contact your child’s pediatrician or Arlington Youth Counseling Center at 781-316-3255.
“Monday after the spring break, school counselors and administrative staff will be available to support students at Arlington High School as well as at the Ottoson and the Elementary schools.”
For information about funeral services, she wrote, go to the website of the Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland at www.icbwayland.org/.
“Thank you for your concern, outreach, and support for families and children in our community during this difficult time.”
Services April 19
Funeral services were held Thursday, April 19, at the Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland. The Center wase open from 10 a.m. on.
Burial was at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, 70 Medford St., Arlington.
This story was first published at 5:45 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2012, and updated numerous times in the following days.
