Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer

A man is now on the run while the community of Hillside in Manchester is in shock after a 16-year-old school girl was murdered.

Martha Byrowne, a grade 10 student of Cross Keys High in south Manchester was found dead with a stab wound to the head at a house in Hillside where she allegedly lived with the man now being sought by the police.

The Mandeville police have since taken in for questioning the girl's mother, who lives next door.

Her sister Lotoya Thompson said Martha went to sports day at her school yesterday and later went to Mandeville before returning home minutes after 8 p.m.

Neighbours reportedly heard the couple arguing that same night.

A neighbour who went to visit the boyfriend around 11 a.m. today discovered the body of the girl.

The boyfriend is said to be originally from Montego Bay and is said to have been living in the area for the past year and a half.

Residents are angered by the incident.

One said that she had warned Martha about being in a relationship with the man who is said to be much older than her.

Meanwhile, Inspector Paul Bernard of the Manchester Police has expressed concern that residents of the community did not know the name and background of the boyfriend.

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