WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – A Westmoreland farmer is suspected to have committed suicide after he told his stepfather that he had ingested a weedicide.

He was found dead at his home in High Gates District in Darliston in the parish on Saturday night.

The deceased has been identified as 51-year-old Michael Beckford, otherwise called ‘Billy’.

According to the police report, Beckford was seen by his stepfather vomiting and was asked what was wrong. Beckford reportedly told his stepfather that he drank some Gai-Quat 200 weedicide.

His stepfather allegedly took the substance from him.

The report went on to say that later that same day, Beckford was discovered on the ground at the rear of his house crying and complaining of abdominal pains.

A green liquid-like substance was reported oozing from his mouth. A bottle of Gai-Quat 200 weedicide was reportedly found beside him on the ground.

The police were alerted and on their arrival, Beckford was seen lying motionless.

He was transported by relatives to the Savanna-La-Mar Public General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

– Kimberley Peddie