Terminally-ill Elderly Man Commits Suicide at Grenada Hospital

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada – A 74-year-old man committed suicide at the General Hospital here on Wednesday, hours after being diagnosed with a terminal illness.

The General Hospital where the man jumped from a fire escape.The Ministry of Health confirmed the man, who had been a patient at the institution since November 24, had died “in tragic circumstances”.

“The Ministry of Health has been in touch with the family of the deceased and will continue to provide the necessary support to them in this time of grief. The Ministry of Health extends deepest sympathy to the family of the deceased man,” it said in a statement.

It did not provide details about the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

However, CMC understands that the man had been ailing for some time and was hospitalized after not improving. Following a series of medical tests, doctors diagnosed him with the terminal illness and communicated that to him on Wednesday morning. Later that evening, he jumped to his death from the fire escape that was on the floor of the ward he was in.

A police investigation is underway.

The Coroners Act provides for an inquest to be held into the death of persons who die suddenly at public institutions.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution will then determine what steps will follow.