‘This really bothered me’: Friends mourn man after sudden loss

Friends were shaken on Thursday by the tragic death of Arnold Simms, a 61-year-old man of Westridge.

The news spread quickly, leaving friends and neighbours struggling to understand the sudden loss.

“Why, bro?” close friend Rush Bevans asked in disbelief. “This really bothered me,” he said in a social media post.

The sorrow was felt by many who knew Simms.

Police, still investigating the incident, say Simms was found in his home, suspended from the attic with a cord attached.

Julie Hoffer, who had recently seen him at the Hoffer Shopping Center West, was stunned by the news as she processed his passing. Their connection, she said, is rooted in Long Island ties.

Roslyn Rodgers, a former colleague, was shocked when she heard the news: “Oh my goodness! He was a nice person, rather pleasant indeed.”

In the midst of the grief, Bevans reminded loved ones about the importance of checking in on one another.

“Get nosy. Check on those we love,” he urged. “Be intentional in asking how they are doing and if they are okay. I believe the warning signs are always there. Sometimes we don’t see them, or we choose to mind our own business. It’s time to be nosy with our friends and our loved ones.”

Simms’ death sparked conversations about mental health and the importance of checking in on others.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a trusted friend, family member, faith leader, or healthcare provider for support.

Or you can call the Bahamas Crisis Centre at 328-0922.

In an emergency, contact the emergency services.

You are not alone.