Authorities say Kayalicia Simpson was killed yesterday in the eastern parish of St Thomas. The teenager had apparently left the house shortly before dawn to use an outdoor bathroom when she was attacked. Some local media say she was beheaded with a cutlass, but police did not comment.
Youth Minister Lisa Hanna said there could be "no justification for such unspeakable savagery" against a child. She says grief counseling will be provided to students at the slain girl's school.
There have been no arrests by investigators in Jamaica, where homicides often go unsolved.