Police Investigate Death of 19-Year-Old Recovered from Devil’s Bridge; WISH Calls for Compassion and Renewed Focus on Youth Mental Health

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 19-year-old woman whose body was recovered from the waters at Devil’s Bridge on Sunday morning, in a loss that has prompted an outpouring of grief and a renewed national call to prioritise youth mental health.

What Police Have Confirmed

According to police, preliminary reports indicate the young woman entered the water at Devil’s Bridge sometime late Saturday night. Officers, together with members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Coast Guard, responded and conducted an extensive search operation spanning both land and sea. Due to challenging conditions and other operational factors, the search was temporarily suspended overnight before resuming early Sunday morning, when the Coast Guard recovered the body from the water and brought it ashore.

Police investigators remained on the scene conducting further inquiries. The Police Administration extended condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of the deceased, and asked that their privacy be respected as the investigation continues.

A Name, A Community, A Loss

The Wadadli Initiative for Self-care and Healing confirmed the deceased as 19-year-old Zowie Tomlinson of Parham, and extended its deepest condolences to her family, friends, and the wider Parham community.

“We are devastated,” said Chaneil Imhoff, Founder of WISH. “Zowie was somebody’s daughter, somebody’s friend, somebody’s neighbour. Nineteen years is no age to feel that there is no way forward. We grieve with her family today, and we grieve as a country that has not yet done enough to ensure that our young people can access mental health support when they need it most.”

A Call for Compassion Online

WISH urged the public to exercise care in how the tragedy is discussed, particularly on social media, cautioning that speculation about the circumstances of her death, the sharing of graphic content, or commentary reducing her life to the manner of her passing causes additional harm to those who loved her and to others in the community who may themselves be struggling in silence. The organisation echoed the Police Administration’s appeal for the family’s privacy to be respected as investigations continue.

A Message to Anyone in Pain

WISH also spoke directly to anyone currently carrying similar pain, emphasising that they are not alone and that what they are feeling does not have to be permanent, while encouraging anyone struggling to reach out for support.

A Call to Action

WISH said it will continue to advocate for sustainable, accessible, and culturally grounded mental health services in Antigua and Barbuda, describing the death of a 19-year-old as more than a tragedy to mourn — a call to act. More information about WISH’s resources and initiatives is available at wish-wadadli.org.

This is a sensitive topic. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please know that support is available and you don’t have to face it alone.