Tyra Spaulding, a former contestant in the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant, has died at the age of 26 in what authorities are treating as an apparent suicide. Her passing has triggered a wave of grief across Jamaica’s pageant community and renewed focus on mental health awareness in the public sphere.
Discovery & Investigation
Local reports indicate that Spaulding was found dead at her home on the evening of Tuesday, September 23, 2025. The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) confirmed that an investigation has been launched and the death is being handled as a suspected suicide pending a full coroner’s report.
Some reports specify that she was found in a bedroom setting, allegedly suspended by a curtain tied around her neck. However, these details remain unconfirmed in official documents, and should be treated cautiously until forensic findings are finalized.
Spaulding’s Public Struggles with Mental Health
In the months prior to her death, Spaulding had candidly shared her struggles with mental health via her YouTube channel and social media.
- On August 31, she posted a video revealing she had resigned from her 9-to-5 job and described that decision as one that negatively affected her mental well-being.
- In another video on September 5, she spoke of battling suicidal ideation daily, feeling overwhelmed by mounting pressures, and battling internal conflict between wanting to live and wanting to give up.
- She admitted to having made prior suicide attempts and said she was receiving therapy, with some support from her former employer.
These disclosures illustrated a woman under deep internal strain, trying to reconcile public expectations, personal ambition, and mental health challenges.
Pageant Career & Public Impact
Spaulding represented Jamaica in the 2023 Miss Universe Jamaica competition, where she was one of the finalists though did not ultimately win the crown. Her presence in the pageant world earned her recognition for her elegance, confidence, and dedication to uplifting others.
After her pageantry days, she is reported to have pursued work in accounting and also engaged in mentoring and mental health advocacy—though the scale and formal structure of her advocacy efforts are not fully documented in the public record.
Within the Miss Universe Jamaica (MUJ) network, Spaulding was considered a beloved finalist. The MUJ organization has expressed that they are currently planning tributes to honour her memory, signaling how deeply she is missed within that “sisterhood.”
Tributes & Reaction
Tributes poured in from friends, family, former pageant colleagues, and fans. Many remembered her as a bright spirit whose smile lit up rooms and whose compassion touched those around her.
The MUJ organization shared:
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of the beautiful Tyra Spaulding. She was a radiant soul and an amazing human being. Her light, grace, beauty and kind spirit touched every life she encountered.”
MUJ’s national directors, Mark McDermoth and Karl Williams, along with reigning Miss Universe Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, offered condolences and pledged that Spaulding’s contributions to the pageant community would not be forgotten.
McDermoth remarked that her death was “a deeply painful and shocking loss for all of us,” and urged contestants — past, present, and future — to prioritize mental wellness, remain connected to each other, and seek support when needed.
The Mental Health Imperative
Spaulding’s passing has reignited urgent conversations about mental health, particularly in high-pressure public spheres like pageantry and modeling. Her openness about suicidal thoughts underscores how external success or recognition does not immunize someone from internal struggle.
Mental health experts note that individuals in the public eye may experience compounding stress — from performance expectations, social comparisons, image consciousness, and online scrutiny — which can amplify vulnerabilities.
Advocates in Jamaica have called for expanded mental health services, destigmatization, and systems of ongoing support, especially for young people. Some of the responses include pledges from MUJ to incorporate mental health awareness more explicitly in their programming.
What Remains Unclear
- The official cause of death has not yet been confirmed by a coroner or forensic authority.
- Some narrative details circulating in media (e.g. method, precise circumstances) remain unverified.
- The full scope and institutional backing of Spaulding’s advocacy or mentorship work are not documented in all sources.
As investigations proceed, more clarity may come through official reports from Jamaica’s forensic services or public statements from police.
Legacy and Final Thoughts
Tyra Spaulding’s life was tragically brief, but her journey left a mark that extends beyond pageant stages. She strove to merge inner strength with compassion, and in her most transparent moments, invited others into the conversation about mental health.
Her death is a somber reminder that behind the crowns, gowns, and public profiles are real human beings with real struggles. To carry forward her memory is to honor not just her outer beauty, but the courage she showed in speaking her pain.
Funeral and memorial details have not yet been announced, as family has requested privacy at this time. Any public ceremonies will likely be shared through official MUJ or family communications.
May her story continue to foster empathy, awareness, and healing — and may we all be kinder, more vigilant, and more compassionate toward those quietly suffering around us.
