Former Miss Jamaica universe 2023 contestant and suicide prevention advocate, Tyra Spaulding has been found dead in what police are treating as a suspected suicide.

Relatives discovered the 26-year-old ‘s body was found on Tuesday evening and alerted the police.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Network (CCN) confirmed that Spaulding was found around 6:55 p.m. with a curtain around her neck.  

Spaulding was widely known for her public work on mental-health awareness and suicide prevention.

In recent weeks friends and colleagues say they became increasingly worried after a series of troubling posts on her social media accounts.

In an Instagram post on August 15, she wrote that she was “going through hell.” Two weeks ago, on her You tube channel, she posted a clip titled, “Don’t be sad,” she said, “I’m fighting for my life… my mind is trying to kill me,” and described waking each day with different suicidal thoughts.

Those who knew her remembered Spaulding for her advocacy and for speaking openly about the difficulties she faced.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact local emergency services or a trusted health professional immediately. If you are able, reach out to friends, family, or a mental-health service close to you for support.