Police are investigating the suspected suicide of Tyra Spaulding, an accountant and finalist in the 2023 Miss Universe Jamaica pageant, who was found dead in her apartment on the morning of Tuesday, September 23. She was 26.
Spaulding’s body was discovered by family members hanging from drapes inside the residence, according to The Gleaner, which cited the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU). Her official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
The news has sparked an outpouring of grief from Spaulding’s family, friends, colleagues, and thousands of social media followers. The Miss Universe Jamaica organisation described her as “more than a contestant”, calling her “a vibrant, intelligent and inspiring young woman whose grace and spirit touched everyone she met”.
Spaulding had spoken openly online about her struggles with mental health and suicidal thoughts, even while advocating for mental health awareness.
In an August 31 YouTube video, she revealed how her mental health deteriorated after she left her full-time job. “I was at the point where I made a plan to kill myself, so anybody… considering [resigning] just don’t do it,” she said.
In another video posted September 5, Spaulding described the toll of managing entrepreneurship while trying to build a future. “I’m fighting for my life over here… because my mind is trying to kill me and if I do nothing, I’m going to die, guys,” she said. “Every day I get up my mind tells me to go and jump off a building, to go overdose on pills, it tells me to go hang myself, I am fighting for my life.”
Authorities have not provided further details about the investigation.
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