The Bedasse family of Cedros, Trinidad, has been struck by a second profound tragedy within months following the apparent suicide of 34-year-old Russell Bedasse, a former police officer, on December 9. The incident compounds an ongoing family crisis stemming from the controversial death of his mother, Shelawaithie “Meera” Bedasse, whose body was discovered at Clifton Hill Beach in Point Fortin on September 24.
Russell Bedasse, who had served eleven years with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service before his recent resignation, had been immersed in intense grief and public advocacy following his mother’s death. Despite official police classification of her death as suicide, Bedasse maintained that his mother had been murdered, with perpetrators attempting to disguise the crime. His relentless pursuit of justice included scrutinizing phone records that revealed suspicious activity during her final hours.
The psychological toll on Bedasse was exacerbated by previous trauma—eleven years prior, he had responded to a suicide call only to discover his own father as the victim. This historical trauma resurfaced dramatically during his mother’s case. In late September, expressing frustration with the investigation’s progress, Bedasse resigned from the police service, delivering his badge and resignation letter to the Cedros Police Station where he had last been stationed.
His public criticism of police handling of the case included social media posts that garnered significant attention. Subsequently, Bedasse posted a viral TikTok video offering a “public apology” to the police service, characterizing his behavior as “out of character and stemmed from a place of deep emotional distress.” The video revealed the depth of his psychological struggle, connecting his current anguish to the trauma of discovering his father’s suicide years earlier.
The dual tragedies highlight ongoing concerns about mental health support for first responders and the complex emotional dimensions of unsolved death investigations. Local authorities continue to investigate both deaths while mental health resources remain available through Lifeline (800-5588, 866-5433, or 220-3636) and emergency services (990, 811, or 999).