Ex-youth Parliamentarian takes own life

UPDATED:

Hours before she was due to graduate from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Kimberly Teelucksingh, 24, was found hanging from a rafter in a bedroom at her Iere Village Branch Road, Princes Town home at 5.50 pm on Wednesday.

Her friends on social media expressed disbelief over her demise and described Teelucksingh as a young, bright and courageous woman with a bright future ahead of her. According to police, at 5.50 pm, relatives found Teelucksingh hanging in a bedroom and alerted the Princes Town Police.

Teelucksingh was expected to graduate yesterday. She was a law student who pursued studies in political sciences. She was also a member of Youth Ambassadors of Trinidad and Tobago and a former Miss India/Trinidad and Tobago finalist. In 2010, Teelucksingh was an Opposition member in the Youth Parliament.

Yesterday, Shanonsingh Teelucksingh identified his daughter’s body at the Centre and received the result of her autopsy which confirmed death was due to hanging.

He said his daughter never complained to him or any other family member about being depressed and as far as he was aware, she was not on any medication. “We are all baffled, we never expected this and I am too distraught to say anything more at this time,” Teelucksingh said.

Yesterday, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, via a press release, expressed her shock at the woman’s death. “A tragic end to the life of such a promising young woman. I recall meeting Kimberly during her time as a Youth Parliamentarian, shortly after I became Prime Minister in 2010.

“I was struck by her intelligence, drive and determination to succeed and I applauded her resolve to enter the field of politics. On behalf of the Opposition and on my own behalf, I want to extend deepest sympathy to Kimberly’s family, friends and mentors,” Persad-Bissessar said.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Former Youth Parliamentarian Kimberly Teelucksingh, who was also a former Miss TT/India beauty queen contestant, was found hanging in the bedroom of her Princes Town home.

Hours before she was due to graduate from the University of the West Indies Kimberly Teelucksingh, 24, was found hanging from a rafter of a bedroom at her Iere Village Branch Road, Princes Town home around 5.50 pm on Wednesday.

The former beauty queen is believed to have committed suicide.

More in tomorrow's Newsday.