In a heart-wrenching revelation, 18-year-old Emmanuela Polidor shared the devastating details surrounding her mother’s suicide on October 9. Ketlyne Ferdinand, 34, took her own life in an outdoor shed at a Rasta Camp off Fire Trail Road, leaving behind a note that deeply shattered her daughter. Emmanuela recounted how her mother had handed her a purse containing the note, a moment that left her emotionally unprepared for the sudden loss. ‘Nobody could be mentally ready for something like this, especially when it’s someone so close to you,’ she expressed.
The day before her mother’s death, Emmanuela visited her and sensed her sadness, describing her as ‘down’ during their final hug. Ketlyne, a long-time member of the Rastafarian community, had been described by leader Priest Richmond McKinney as ‘unstable’ in recent years following a trip to Haiti. However, Emmanuela dismissed this claim, insisting her mother was a cheerful and caring person who did not suffer from mental illness, though she occasionally seemed sad.
On the morning of the tragedy, Emmanuela planned to visit her mother but noticed her father acting strangely. Moments later, she received a message offering condolences, which confirmed her worst fears. Overwhelmed with grief, she rushed to her mother’s home, only to be met with the sight of yellow caution tape—a haunting reminder of the loss.
Emmanuela, now working as a beautician like her mother, reflected on their bond, particularly the times they spent together while her mother fixed her locs. At just 18, she never imagined she would be planning her mother’s funeral. This tragic experience has underscored the importance of seeking emotional support during difficult times, a lesson she hopes others will take to heart.