The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is investigating the suspected suicides of two men, including a pensioner, in separate cases along the Essequibo Coast and at Linden.
Alfred King, 74, of Present Hope, East Bank Essequibo, was discovered hanging in an exterior bathroom at his residence around 3.30 pm by one of his sons on Wednesday.
A GPF statement said the man’s 54-year-old son, who lives at the same address but in a separate house, made checks to locate him and discovered that he was hanging from a cement sling in the exterior bathroom.
An alarm was raised and the police were summoned.
No marks of violence were seen on King’s body after it was examined.
The statement said King died sometime between 8 am and 3.30 pm on Wednesday.
His body was transported to Ezekiel Funeral Home and a post-mortem examination is scheduled to be done.
A relative of the deceased, who asked not to be named, told Stabroek News during an interview that King lived with a younger son and other family members.
On Wednesday, she explained, King was home alone while the other members of his household were out purchasing supplies for a shop they operate.
The man’s eldest son subsequently returned home and could not locate his father. Further checks were made and King’s lifeless body was found.
The relative related that it is unclear what might have caused King to commit the act but she noted that he was ill.
King was described as a supportive and helpful individual to those in need.
Meanwhile, Akeem Brisport, a 21-year-old unemployed Linden man, was found hanging from a rope under his house on Thursday.
A GPF report stated that Brisport, who occupied the lower flat of a two- storey building at Oronoque Drive, Retrieve, McKenzie, allegedly committed suicide between the hours of 5.30 and 6.30 yesterday morning.
The police were called and the dead man’s body was cut down and taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where he was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty.
The body is presently lying at the Jetsco Funeral home awaiting a post-mortem examination.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of committing suicide, you can seek help from the Inter-Agency Suicide Prevention Helpline at 223-0818, 223-0009, 223-0001, 600-7896 or 623-4444, via email at guyagency@yahoo.com, and via Facebook through the Guyana Inter-agency Suicide Prevention Helpline page. The Ministry of Health has also launched a 24-hour hotline – 655-safe (655–7233) – to provide counselling services to people who may be suffering from mental illness.
