Suicide of mother of three sends shock-waves through community

Villagers of the Sandy Bay community have expressed shock and sadness, at the news of the passing of 36-year-old Arlene Cozier, in what appears to be the third suicide here, in the space of one week.{{more}}

As news spread that Cozier, of Prospect, had died, persons who knew the mother of three young children, which include six month old twins, said that they were saddened by her death; but even more, by the manner in which she is believed to have died.

“She was a quiet person, who always gave encouragement to others. She was a very pleasant child,” said one villager in Front Street, Sandy Bay, where Cozier, nee Baptiste grew up.

“I didn’t expect this at all; this comes as a big surprise.”

Reports are that Cozier suffered from bouts of depression and had not been well for some time.

Her May 3 passing is seen as a tragedy, which has some of her friends and family members asking the all too familiar question “Why?”

The former student of the Sandy Bay Primary School and North Union Secondary School would have celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary on Friday May 4.

Her twins turned six months old on the day she died.

Up to press time Monday, family members of the former University of the West Indies Open Campus employee were too distraught to speak to SEARCHLIGHT.

Cozier’s funeral is expected to take place sometime next week.

Her apparent suicide brings the number of reported suicide cases in about week to three.

On April 25, 16-year-old Grammar School student Romario Sayers of Arnos Vale died after reportedly hanging himself; so too did 26-year-old Kendol Lee of Glamorgan on April 30.(JJ)