By Bill W. Cooper
A sad incident, yesterday, January 9, 2025, unfolded on Front Street in Monrovia, after a 29-year-old man identified as Papay Kamara allegedly sliced his own throat after witnessing his girlfriend in the company of another man.
Eyewitnesses reported that Kamara, who used a razor blade to commit the act, also appeared to be under the influence of drugs; having recently been released from the Monrovia Central prison.
According to our reporter who visited the scene, the environment was chaotic as bystanders rushed to assist the late Kamara, who collapsed on the pavement with blood pouring from his alleged self-inflicted wound that caused his death before the arrival of medical practitioners.
Liberia has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including the huge number of suicidal deaths; as this latest has just added to the recent suicides that were committed in Nimba, Montserrado, and other counties.
In an interview with a bystander, Ernest Wilson, believed to be the elder brother of the victim, he narrated that he was informed that the incident involving his brother occurred around the early morning hours of Thursday, after witnessing his girlfriend, in the company of another man.
According to him, he was also told that his brother had been struggling with his mental health and substance abuse issues since his release from prison before the incident; something he said, might also be a contributing factor to his action.
“His friends told me that they saw Kamara walking down the street, and was looking agitated, and it was all because he saw his girlfriend whose name they did not mention with a guy laughing and talking in the community.
According to them it was at which time he then pulled out the blade from his pocket and began to slash his neck unknown to everyone, and before people could realize the act, it was already late to save him,” Wilson narrated.
The deceased earlier brother has however described the moment as strange, and asserted, “But again, his closest buddies said this is not the first time they have heard him complaining about this girl, but again, his action is scary and worrisome.”
However, it was also reported that a health team later arrived within minutes, after Kamara was already dead, thus leaving his friends and neighbors in total grief.
Other community dwellers also told this paper that before Kamara’s death, they had all been seriously concerned about his mental health, noting that he had been acting strange since his release from South Beach.
“Kamara, recently has always had issues with drugs, but he seemed to be doing better before he got out, I think the pressure of being back on the streets and seeing your girl with someone else could have been the actual reason for his decision, that is something I am confident of,” he added.
Meanwhile, yesterday’s incident has raised serious discussions within the community about the need for better mental health resources and support systems for individuals dealing with substance abuse and emotional distress.
“We need to do more to support our youth because this tragedy is a wake-up call for all of us. We must come together to provide the help that those in need require, and we will be with the family during this time; this could happen to anyone, and we need to be there for each other,” a resident added.
