Was Tyra Spaulding dealing with severe mental health issues? Did she die by suicide? ‘I made a plan to kill myself’
Tyra Spaulding, a former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant, died at 26 after struggling with mental health issues
Tyra Spaulding, former Miss Universe Jamaica competitor, passed away at 26 after sharing her mental health issues on social media.

According to The Gleaner, which cited the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), Spaulding was discovered dead at her flat on Tuesday evening, September 23, after a suspected suicide. According to reports, the 2023 Miss Universe contestant's family found her hanging in her bedroom.
In a condolence message, the Miss Universe Jamaica Organization mourned the loss of “beautiful” Spaulding, who was a “radiant soul and an amazing human being.”
Her light, grace, beauty and kind spirit touched every life she encountered. We at the Miss Universe Jamaica Organization keep Tyra’s family, friends, and loved ones in our heartfelt prayers as we celebrate the beautiful life she shared with us,” the organisation said.
Tyra Spaulding's death comes after her mental health post
In a video that was uploaded on August 31, she stated, "I resigned frommy 9 to 5 job, but it was a terrible decision because my mental health just took up plummeted." “And guys, I was at the point where I made a plan to kill myself, so anybody on air, considering [leaving your job] just don't don't do it.”
In the video, Spaulding disclosed that he had previously attempted suicide and she was undergoing therapy with assistance from her former employer.
She made another post on September 5, saying, “I'm fighting for my life over here. I feel like I need to go out and do something because my mind is trying to kill me. And if I do nothing, I am going to die … I am fighting for my life … I’m definitely in a battle right now.”
Spaulding also mentioned feeling "overwhelmed" and that she was experiencing suicide thoughts "every day." She additionally shared her worries about finding it difficult "to build a sustainable future" while juggling her role as an entrepreneur.
ABOUT THE AUTHORShweta KukretiShweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

E-Paper


