'Extremely challenging' 36 hours for Isle of Man Constabulary

A juvenile is in custody in relation to an ongoing murder investigation

The past 36 hours have been 'extremely challenging' for the Isle of Man Constabulary.

That's according to Inspector Paul Kemp, who says a serious incident in Ramsey has 'touched probably every police officer on the Isle of Man in one way or another, because of all the specialisms that [they] all carry, on top of TT'.

The police are signposting the Island community to support services following the incident, which took place in the area of Close Drean at 3.38pm on Thursday (29 May).

It's now been confirmed a murder investigation is underway after 14-year-old Christopher Benjamin Robert James McBurnie died at the scene.

A juvenile is in custody.

Chief Constable Russ Foster confirmed the details in an update posted on the police's social media pages last night (30 May).

He also confirmed the Youth Service and Isle Listen will be providing informal drop-in support sessions for young people from Monday 2 - Thursday 5 June around the Island.

In Ramsey (Ramsey Youth Centre & Café, Waterloo Road, Ramsey, IM8 1LN), sessions will be from 1pm - 5pm.

They will also be from 1pm-5pm in Douglas (Café Larré, 1 Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man. IM1 2BF).

In Castletown (Isle Listen, Mill Court, Hope Street Castletown IM9 1AN) the sessions will be between 1pm and 4pm.

For children and young people under 16, further resources are available here:

• Talk service (from Isle Listen) can be called directly on 01624 679544 from Monday 2nd June 2025
• https://www.islelisten.im/: Complete a self-referral form on their website to access additional support
• https://www.kooth.com/ for 11 – 17-year-olds
• Teams from St Christopher’s will also be out and about in Douglas over TT

Speaking on Manx Radio Motorsport this morning (31 May), Inspector Paul Kemp says it has been an extremely challenging time for police, and reiterated that images from the scene should not be distributed on social media:

An online portal has been set up to allow those who may have information - including imagery - to submit it to the investigation team.

You can find the portal HERE.