The sudden, unexpected passing of 24-year-old Cody Gomes has left family, friends and communities across Antigua and Barbuda in mourning, as local law enforcement continues to probe the circumstances of his death. The Wadadli Initiative for Self-care and Healing (WISH), a leading local organization focused on mental wellness and community support, has issued an official statement extending its deepest condolences to all those affected by Gomes’s death.
Per official police accounts, Gomes was discovered unresponsive at his private residence in the early hours of Monday. Personnel from the All Saints Police Station were dispatched immediately to the location, and medical personnel later confirmed he had passed away. As of press time, no definitive details surrounding the cause of his death have been released, and the active investigation remains ongoing.
WISH is joining the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda in an urgent appeal to the public: respect the Gomes family’s right to privacy as they navigate overwhelming grief, and approach this moment with compassion and empathy. This unanticipated loss has sent shockwaves through Gomes’s closest circle and the wider Swetes community, leaving countless people grappling with shock, profound sadness and unanswered questions about what led to his passing.
In its statement, the organization stressed the importance of avoiding unfounded speculation, harmful unsubstantiated commentary, and the unauthorized spread of sensitive details related to the case. Instead of engaging in irresponsible discussion, WISH is urging community members to center kindness: check in on friends, family and neighbors who may be struggling with this loss, and offer non-judgmental support to anyone processing grief.
The tragedy also serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing, urgent need to expand safe, open spaces for community dialogue around mental health, emotional distress, grief and collective care, WISH noted. The organization offered guidance for community members who may be concerned about someone in their life who is struggling: if a friend or loved one shows signs of withdrawal, persistent overwhelm, hopelessness, unusual emotional shifts or visible distress, do not ignore these red flags. Reach out to them, offer a non-judgmental listening ear, maintain consistent connection, and encourage them to reach out to a trusted person, whether that is a family member, friend, religious leader, medical provider, educator or licensed mental health professional. For anyone facing an immediate threat to personal safety, the organization emphasized that emergency assistance should be sought without delay.
Local law enforcement is also asking for public cooperation to advance the investigation. Anyone with information that could help detectives clarify the circumstances of Gomes’s death is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Department directly at 462-3913 or 462-3914. For those who wish to share information anonymously, tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 800-TIPS (8477).
WISH closed its statement by reiterating its sympathy for the Gomes family, all of Cody’s loved ones, and the entire Swetes community, noting that the organization holds them in its thoughts through this devastating period. The organization also reaffirmed its long-term commitment to its core missions: expanding mental health education across Antigua and Barbuda, raising public awareness of suicide prevention, and building a national culture where people feel safe and comfortable sharing when they are struggling emotionally, rather than suffering in silence.