In 2019, a 32-year-old single mom from Colombia jumped off a 330-foot bridge while holding her little boy, taking both of their lives.
The nightmare occurred on February 7, last year, at the La Variante Bridge, in Ibagué. People passing by were not able to react in time, but some of them managed to record some footage and took photos of the mother and son’s final moments.
According to authorities, the mother, Jessy Paola Moreno Cruz, was struggling financially and had just been evicted from her home. With no money to pay rent anywhere, she and her son became homeless for a while, and she sunk into a deep depression. Feeling like all was lost, Cruz made the tragic decision to commit suicide and take her boy with her.
Media who were present at the scene said the child was begging his mom not to jump in the last minutes before their death.
An ambulance swiftly arrived, but unfortunately, there was nothing they could do but take the bodies out of the water. A funeral service for the mother and son was held later on.
Authorities say that the mother was being threatened by loan sharks and left behind a suicide letter that detailed her reasons for going this far.
Her note read:
“I cannot tolerate the idea that somebody could hurt you because of what I did, I prefer that we leave and forget this world. I have no hope, I have been defeated and humiliated. The man who told me he loved me left me alone, very alone. They all left me with nothing, everything I worked for, everything I lived for, all I loved, all I gave, it was snatched away in an instant. My mistake was to trust the wrong people. I failed the person I love most in my life, I cannot afford to pay for his studies, I do not even have enough money to give him hot food. I have placed him in danger and I am sorry for failing you, son. Every day is more difficult and filled with threats, debt, and lack of love. I cannot do it anymore. I will be told I am a coward, but only God knows the distress of being terrified that someone will hurt you because of me. If only somebody could help me, but who can lend me the money or even a home? There is nobody. The world is dangerous and I cannot protect you. Every day is grey. My heart beats with anxiety. I cry with frustration and impotence. I am a loser. This time I will not fail you, my son. Nobody will hurt us anymore.”
Around 800,000 people in the world commit suicide each year, which equates to one person every 40 seconds.
It is the 2nd leading cause of death in the world for people aged 15 to 24 years. Suicide accounted for 1.4% of all losses of life worldwide, which makes it the 18th leading cause of death in 2016, as per the World Health Organization.
WARNING: THE VIDEO BELOW MIGHT BE HIGHLY DISTURBING FOR SOME AUDIENCES!!!
https://youtu.be/yuL6LdF71m4
