New Hanover County Schools offers grief support after Laney High student’s death

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County Schools is providing grief support to students and staff following the death of a Laney High School student in a car crash.

Jacob Fernandez-Villa, 17, was killed in a crash early Thursday morning, leaving the Laney High School community and others across the district grieving.

The school district is offering support through school counselors, social workers and community organizations, including New Hanover County’s 911 CARE Team.

“It is important for students to have multiple avenues, whether that is in an app such as Say Something where they can communicate anonymously. It’s important for them to have a person if that’s how they are going to best receive support; it’s also important for them to be able to process that with their parent, their guardian, or their caregiver and identify any type of specific mental health provider that they may want to utilize,” said Deputy Superintendent Julie Varnam.

Some students gathered at Laney High School on Friday afternoon to receive grief support.

District officials said anyone in need of help can contact their school or connect with resources available through the New Hanover County Schools website.

More information about those resources is available through New Hanover County Schools’ website.