She Predicted the Silence: Tyra Spaulding’s Story Calls Us to Care Before It’s Too Late
Jamaica Live Entertainment Report | Sept 25, 2025
Shock and heartbreak have gripped Jamaica following the tragic death of 26-year-old Tyra Spaulding, a former contestant in the 2023 Miss Universe Jamaica competition. Spaulding was found at home by relatives on Tuesday evening. The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) confirmed that she was discovered in her bedroom with a pink curtain tied around her neck. Police are treating the case as a suspected suicide.
Tributes From the Pageant Community
Since the news broke, Spaulding’s fellow contestants from Miss Universe Jamaica 2023 have flooded social media with messages of disbelief and condolence. Current Miss Universe Jamaica, Jordanne Lauren Levy, wrote:
“My heart is heavy as I learned of the passing of a fellow contestant from the Miss Universe Jamaica family. I’m holding her loved ones in close prayer during this unimaginable time… Rest in peace Tyra.”
The official Miss Universe Jamaica page also paid tribute, describing Tyra as a radiant soul whose “light, grace, beauty and kind spirit touched every life she encountered.”
Tyra’s Painful Prediction
What has left many even more shaken is that Tyra seemed to anticipate how people would respond to her death. In a series of video diaries, she spoke openly about her struggles with depression, feelings of invisibility, and the harsh realities of navigating life as a young woman in the spotlight.
She predicted that once she was gone, people would “announce everywhere” and research her videos, saying how sad it was that she struggled, but noted that “no one pays attention or really cares until it is too late.” She lamented that people would say she was “trying” — pointing to her attempts at content creation and even her OnlyFans work — but would never fully understand the depth of her despair.
Battles of the Mind
In her recordings, Tyra described the torment of intrusive thoughts urging her to jump, hang herself, or overdose on pills. She admitted she did not always want to die, but believed death might feel easier than enduring the relentless “ups and downs of life.” She worried about her biological clock, losing attractiveness as she aged, and the uncertainty of building a sustainable future while struggling with entrepreneurship and financial instability.
“When people don’t have an option or a plan, it’s some serious stuff… people kill themselves,” she confessed.
A Call for Reflection
Her raw honesty is now sparking wider conversations online about mental health, suicide awareness, and the pressures faced by young women in Jamaica and across the globe.
As the Miss Universe Jamaica Organization wrote in their official statement:
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of the beautiful Tyra Spaulding. She had a smile that lit up every room, bringing warmth and joy to all who had the privilege of knowing her. We keep her family, friends, and loved ones in our heartfelt prayers as we celebrate the beautiful life she shared with us.”
Tyra’s death leaves not only grief but also a haunting reminder of the importance of listening, supporting, and paying attention to the silent battles so many are fighting.
In 2019, Jamaica announced the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline – 888 NEW LIFE (639-5433); revealed community mental health services and launched the public awareness campaign on mental health, ‘Speak Up, Speak Now’.