Merrimack High Mourning the Loss of a Student

Merrimack High School is mourning the loss of one of its students following his death during the long Memorial Day weekend.

Merrimack Police Chief Mark Doyle confirmed on Monday night that Merrimack student Arthur Dias had died over the weekend, however, Doyle said the student was living in Nashua at the time and the investigation into his death was being handled by Nashua Police.

Messages left for the Nashua Youth Services Division, which is handling the case, have not been returned.

MHS Principal Kenneth Johnson said in an e-mail Tuesday afternoon that he was contacted around 3 p.m. on Monday by Merrimack Police regarding the student's death.

“I called all critical parties and they began their work so that together, we could meet this situation.  At 7 this morning, our crisis team met.  At 7:15, we held an emergency faculty meeting and spoke without specifics about our loss. A critical resource was given to each teacher and, in addition, teachers were asked to let guidance know ASAP if they saw anyone struggling with this news. Guidance was and has been available to students and staff all day,” Johnson wrote in the email.

Johnson said they also reorganized the order of the day placing homeroom at the very beginning of the day in order to acknowledge the loss immediately. Homeroom teachers addressed their students and Johnson spoke to the full student body over the intercom system during that period.

Dias was named to the Merrimack High School honor roll for quarters one and two this year under the sophomore class honorees. A search of the Nashua Telegraph archives found Dias was also named as a "promising newcomer" to the school's wrestling team in December of 2011.

His death has been the topic of several tweets by classmates and friends who referred to the teen as “Arty.”

“MHS is mourning you, Arty,” one tweet says. “Streaming tears and swollen eyes are everywhere today. We will always remember and miss you. Rest easy, Dias.”

“RIP @ArtyDias I knew you ever since third grade and you were an amazing guy. Wish it didn't end like this. Fly high & watch over us,” another says.

Johnson said he has reached out personally to Dias' family and he is planning to meet with the crisis team at the end of the day to determine the needs at the school tomorrow.

Patch will bring you any updates to this story as they are made available.