ST JAMES, Jamaica — The media fraternity has been plunged into mourning with the death of the Western Mirror’s Volney Barrett.

Barrett, 32, died about 2:00 this morning at his home in Montego Bay, St James, after complaining of severe pain, which he started experiencing following his regular dialysis treatment.

“I am not exactly sure about my feelings right now,” said a visibly shaken Janet Silvera, president of the Western Jamaica Media Association (WJMA) and also friend of Barrett.

“It was only a few days ago when he told me about a frightening incident where gunmen unsuccessfully tried to hold up and rob a taxi in which he was a passenger. He was so grateful to have survived the ordeal that he took a solemn promise not to leave his house without praying. That conversation seems so surreal right now I am really having a hard time dealing with this,” expressed Silvera.

Silvera also remembered Barrett from their days at the University of the West Indies where he studied Integrated Marketing Communications, describing him as a very hard worker “who was very family-oriented”.

“He remained involved with the institution, and up to a few days ago was planning a recital at the school for the popular artistic group ASHE,” Silvera added.

He was also an avid Christian, working closely with youth groups in the church and was a member of the King’s Chapel Pentecostal Church, where he taught bible quiz.

Silvera also noted that Barrett suffered kidney failure about two years ago and spent time in and out of the hospital.

For his part, Publisher of the Western Mirror Lloyd B Smith said Barrett started working with the newspaper after graduating from Cornwall College at age 17.

“Volney was an integral part of the Western Mirror where he began his career in journalism,” Smith pointed out. He was a very diligent and competent member of staff who was loved by his colleagues and friends. He will be sorely missed,” said Smith.

He is survived by his mother Leonie.