St Michael Foundation, the school attended by Lisa Marie Zahra, the 15-year-old who died at Dingli cliffs last week, has broken its silence on her death and defended its hiring policy after serious questions were raised about Teacher Erin Tanti, who accompanied his teenage student to Dingli cliffs where the two were found.

“St Michael Foundation expresses its sincere condolences to the Zahra family at the tragic death of Lisa Marie.  Ms Zahra had been a student at St Michael Foundation from the age of 11.  The Foundation, members of staff, fellow students and parents are in grief at her loss.  She will be greatly missed.”

“St Michael Foundation strictly adheres at all times to all procedures, rules and regulations stipulated by law in the engagement  of its teachers and ensures that all teachers have the necessary approvals from the authorities,” the school said in a statement.

The school said that it had no indication of “any incidents, on or off the school premises, leading up to this tragedy."

“Given the sensitivity of the subject and the fact that there is an ongoing magisterial inquiry on the circumstances leading to the death of Ms Zahra, St Michael Foundation will not engage in speculation.  The Foundation calls upon all members of staff and students to co-operate fully with the authorities.  Respect for Ms Zahra’s memory requests nothing short of that,” the statement said.

Ms Zahra’s body has now been released by the Courts of Law and the funeral is to be held on Friday, sources told The Malta Independent.

The funeral Mass will be held at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in Valletta at 2pm.

Lisa Marie was reported missing by the police on Tuesday 18 March and was found dead at the bottom of Dingli Cliffs the next day.

Teacher Erin Tanti, 23, who was also reported missing by the police, was found injured with her. He is assisting the police to establish what happened on that fateful day.