The Tampa community has been struck by tragedy with the death of Eniola Olafemi, a 16-year-old student whose body was found near the Courtney Campbell Causeway. His grandmother, Cathy Jackson, who last saw him last Tuesday as he was leaving for school, confirmed the heartbreaking discovery. "I am lost," she said in a statement obtained by WFLA News Channel 8, as their family grapples with the incomprehensible loss of Eniola, whom they had spent several agonizing days searching for.
While Tampa police continue to investigate the incident, they have stated that there were no signs of trauma on Olafemi's body, found in the water, and have not yet ruled his death suspicious. Jackson, however, firmly believes that there is more to her grandson's death. "I think it’s a homicide. I don’t care what they say. I think somebody killed him. How they killed him, I don’t know," she told 10 Tampa Bay. These sentiments come amidst unresolved questions as to how Eniola ended up in the water, and why his cellphone was pinging at various locations after his disappearance.
Described as a kind, athletic, and intelligent teen with a bright future ahead of him, Jackson takes pride in Eniola's potential. "He's a genius. He needs to be in college," she recalled, despite the challenges he faced with his interest in school, as per an interview with 10 Tampa Bay. Eniola, who was adopted by Jackson in 2015 from Brazil, had a history of not wanting to stay in school and had previously run away from home at the age of 13.
In their grief, the family has set up a GoFundMe to assist with funeral expenses. The loss has fallen upon a family already acquainted with tragedy, as Jackson's son was murdered six years ago, a case that remains unsolved. "He was wonderful, and I miss him," Jackson said, according to 10 Tampa Bay. Investigators are also looking into a second body found near the causeway, though they say the cases do not appear to be connected.
