WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – The mother of a 12-year-old boy, who is suspected to have taken his life in Broughton, Little London, Westmoreland, between last night and this morning, said her son was “suicidal”.

The deceased has been identified as Laron Jurik, otherwise called “Juju”.

Laron’s mother, Candean Palmer, told OBSERVER ONLINE that although he had suicidal tendencies, she is still in “disbelief”.

She said her son had gone missing, from about 11:00pm on Monday. She noted that attempts to locate him were proven futile.

READ: Boy dies in suspected suicide in Westmoreland

The mother told OBSERVER ONLINE that she went to the police station to file a missing person’s report. However, she said she was instructed to wait 24 hours.

“She [police] said if I didn’t find him this morning, I should come and make the report,” Palmer said.

After she was given those directives, Palmer continued her search on Tuesday morning, only to stumble on her son’s lifeless body hanging from an apple tree by a heavy duty strap.

At the scene, Laron was wearing a red shirt, short denim pants, with his feet and lips looking blue.

Palmer said she then proceeded to call residents to help her confirm her discovery, as she was in “disbelief”.

Although she revealed that he was suicidal, she was hoping that she was living a dream.

“Him slit him wrist already, but I am still in shock,” the mother said in distress.

The gruesome discovery of her 12-year-old son has left her numb.

She noted that prior to his death she made frequent visits to the Child Protection and Family Services Agency to address his behavioural issues.

Meanwhile, a family friend and neighbour of the deceased, who identified her name as ‘Sistren’, described Laron as a pleasant, but emotional child.

“Juju a nice likkle bwoy, as yuh talk to him, him cry. Him easy fi shame. Yuh cyah talk to Juju hard, him easy fi shame,” she said.

“He’s mannersable, a day before yesterday mi see Juju.”

“Oh God man, mi nuh understand how the likkle boy dead, mi still a hold on strong, a him dweet! Him jump out a di tree,” she added.

Sistren said Laron would often run to her if he was in trouble, and often made complaints.

She also noted it was the main reason why his mother went to her house to search when she discovered he did not get home by 11:00pm, Monday night. Only to find out later, that he was dead in their backyard.

“Mi wish him did dung a mi yard fi true,” the distraught woman said as she looked on in despair.

Kimberley Peddie