DUNCANS, Trelawny — Tears flowed Wednesday morning as grief-stricken staff at Trelawny Parish Court grappled with the death of 59-year-old Parish Court Judge Ruth Lawrence.

Lawrence was pronounced dead Tuesday evening at Falmouth Public General Hospital, hours after being reportedly found unresponsive at her Coral Spring, Trelawny, home by her 47-year-old partner.

A high-level probe has been launched into the incident, according to Jamaica Observer sources, even as a leaked internal police incident report made the rounds on social media, indicating that she was suspected to have ingested poison.

Reports are that Lawrence missed her usual morning run, did not go to work as usual, and her partner first interacted with her between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm when he heard her making sounds that indicated she was unwell. The next exchange reportedly came about 4:00 pm when the anguished-sounding judge, responding to her partner’s query, said she could not move. The reports indicate that the man took Lawrence to hospital and she was pronounced dead at 7:18 pm Tuesday.

On Wednesday grief counsellors were dispatched to provide support to distraught court staff.

In a statement, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes mourned Lawrence’s passing, praising her professionalism, compassion, and over two decades of distinguished service across several parishes.

He noted her leadership in the children’s and family courts, described her death as a profound loss to the justice system and extended condolence to her family, colleagues, and friends, affirming that her legacy will continue to inspire.

“The mood is very sombre, very sad. Sad, sad, sad. Extremely sombre, extremely low, some were crying; people are just sad. Tears flowed uncontrollably… It is like they can’t seem to come to grips,” a member of the grief counselling team dispatched to the Trelawny Parish Court told the Observer.

Shell-shocked workers who were seen milling around the courthouse indicated that they were not authorised to speak with the media. However, some were overheard bemoaning that Lawrence’s death followed that of Senior Parish Court Judge Stanley Clarke four years ago.

“In Trelawny we have now lost two judges. Mr Clarke died during the COVID period and now she has passed. The staff members are not taking it well,” said one obviously distressed man.

A visibly jolted Custos of Trelawny Hugh Gentles was among individuals who turned up to offer support to court employees.

“It’s a very tragic loss. Miss Lawrence was someone who I was very familiar with, who I knew quite well from opening of circuit every year for a number of years now. She shall surely be missed. The staff of the court office is very devastated by this loss. So I’m here as a member of the team to give my support and to urge them to put their best foot forward,” Gentles said.

President of the Cornwall Bar Association, attorney-at-law Michael Hemmings, who also visited the court in Duncans on Wednesday, grieved for Lawrence while referencing the recent death of defence attorney Denley Daddoo who lived in Westmoreland.

“Any loss of life is a tragic one, and losing two persons back-to-back, it is a devastating moment. As a bar we try our very best to cope and to be there for our colleagues and to give a listening ear in time of need,” Hemmings said.

Councillor Roydell Hamilton (People’s National Party, Martha Brae Division), who was Lawrence’s orderly for years before his recent retirement from the police force to enter representational politics, was also among those grieving.

“I am still having a splitting headache this morning, ongoing from last night. I actually had to come home from the hospital and I was advised to drink some water and relax. So I have to check my [blood] pressure today. I was not expecting this,” he told the Observer glumly.

He referred to Lawrence as his “second mother”.

“When I was offered to represent the Martha Brae Division I told her about it, and I told her I have to go home and really sit and talk to the family first. She said I must not think twice about it. I must go ahead … since that she was my biggest supporter. She actually came to my first conference in Granville,” Hamilton told the Observer during a telephone interview.

Meanwhile, Opposition Spokesperson on Justice Zuleika Jess said Lawrence’s passing was a great loss to Jamaica.

“She was a dedicated servant of justice whose integrity and compassion left an indelible mark on the legal profession,” Jess said.

“Her distinguished career in public service was marked by an unwavering commitment to justice and a deep respect for the rights of all individuals. She earned the admiration of her colleagues and the gratitude of those she served. Her work reflected the highest ideals of fairness and equity, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations of legal practitioners and public servants across Jamaica.”

Lawrence began her journey with the courts in Westmoreland on September 8, 1997, with Sykes indicating that her dedication and integrity quickly became evident. Her appointment as a resident magistrate in 2009 marked a new chapter in her journey, during which she served with distinction across various parishes including Westmoreland, Trelawny, Kingston and St Andrew, St James, and St Ann. Lawrence also played vital roles as chair of the children’s court in the northern circuit as it then was, and as a key member of the Western Regional Family Court.

“Her service extended beyond her courtroom work to enriching the lives of countless persons — children, families, and communities — through her leadership and compassion. Ruth’s passing is a profound loss to our system and to all who knew her,” Sykes said.

SYKES… her service extended beyond her courtroom work to enriching the lives of countless persons .

From left: Chief Parish Judge Chester Crooks, head of the Trelawny Police Division Superintendent Velonique Campbell, and Custos of Trelawny Hugh Gentles at the Trelawny Parish Court in Duncans on Wednesday. (Photo: Horace Hines)

President of the Cornwall Bar Association Michael Hemmings was among those in mourning in Duncans on Wednesday. (Photo: Horace Hines)