Remains from fire belong to missing Sheshatshiu teen

Remains found inside a burned-out house in Sheshatshiu in central Labrador are those of a teenager who had been missing, an autopsy has confirmed.

The RCMP said the Medical Examiner's Office completed the autopsy Tuesday and concluded the remains are those of 17-year-old Sebastien Rich.

Earlierreports said Rich was 15.

He was reported missing on the afternoon of Dec. 30, just hours after fire destroyed the abandoned house in the community of about 1,000.

Prior to the fire, the RCMP received a report that some young people were partying inside the building.

Firefighters searched the debris after the fire was extinguished, but didn't find any indication that anyone may have been inside during the fire, and it was believed that all the young people reported to be in the house were accounted for.

Teen missing after fire

However, later on Wednesday, it was reported to RCMP that Rich was missing.

A second search of the debris resulted in the discovery ofthe human remains.

An RCMP spokesman, Sgt. Wayne Newell, said the autopsy indicated Rich died of smoke inhalation and burns.

Newell said the investigation has failed to turn up the cause of the fire, however, he said police have confirmed that the young people who were inside the house were burning candles and cardboard, and had been smoking.

He also said there was electricity hooked up to the house, which had been abandoned for about two months, but it hadn't been in useprior to the fire.

Mourners on Facebook

Friends, who believed Rich died in the fire long before it was confirmed, have been mourning him through a Facebook site that saw online tributes pour in.

Rich was remembered as having a sense of humour, and someone who enjoyed spending time on the land and playing sports.

The principal of Sheshatshiu Innu School, Clarence Davis, told CBC News on Tuesday that school officials were awaiting official confirmation from police before organizing a memorial service.

Davis said at the time thatthe school had a crisis response plan ready to help students, if needed, that included the school board, local health officials and the band council.