Tyra Spaulding, a former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant, has died at the age of 26. Her body was discovered at her apartment on Tuesday, according to Caribbean National Weekly. Authorities are investigating her death as a possible suicide.
Miss Universe Jamaica Pays Tribute
The Miss Universe Jamaica Organization confirmed Spaulding’s death on Instagram the following day, posting a heartfelt statement alongside a photo and video of the beauty queen on the runway.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of the beautiful Tyra Spaulding,” the statement read. “She was a radiant soul and an amazing human being. Her light, grace, beauty and kind spirit touched every life she encountered.”
The organization added that they are keeping Spaulding’s family, friends, and loved ones in their prayers while celebrating her life.
Fans Send Condolences
Supporters flooded the post’s comments section with condolences. “Condolences to her loved ones and the MUJ franchise. My heart just broke when the news broke,” one user wrote. Another added, “Praying for her family. May her soul R.I.P.”
Spaulding’s Struggles With Mental Health
Weeks before her death, Spaulding spoke openly about her mental health on YouTube, sharing she was “fighting for her life.”
“I feel like I need to go out and do something because my mind is trying to kill me,” she said in a September 4 video. “Every day I get up, my mind tells me to jump off a building, to overdose on pills, to hang myself.”
She added she didn’t know why these thoughts had appeared but was doing everything she could to stay alive and distract herself from them.
Raising Awareness
In the same video, Spaulding questioned how many others might be going through similar struggles, saying it felt like “two different me’s” were at odds — one wanting to live and one wanting to die.
If You Need Help
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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