sirsidneypoitierbridge

Friends and family of the woman who jumped to her death are stunned, expressing regret that they perhaps could have been a listening ear had they known she needed help.

“[We’re] so sorry [that] we failed you.  We are so sorry… [We] passed you everyday and didn’t know you were hurting,” Andica Miller, a cousin lamented in a social media post.

Another cousin, Cari Forbes joined in the chorus, “My cousin, I can’t stop crying…It’s like we failed her.”

Friends have identified her as 38-year-old Chrishna Stuart, affectionately called, “Butta.”

Stuart, a security guard at the Cove, Atlantis, was found dead in waters around Paradise Island on Sunday after witnesses near the eastern area of Potter’s Cay Dock alerted police that a woman was perched atop the Sir Sidney Poitier bridge and jumped into the waters.

A boater sailed out into the waters to retrieve her, but she was pronounced dead.

Trevor Wilson pulled her from the water. The look on her face still haunts him.

“Even though I don’t know her, this will be a face I never forget.  The look she had on her face when I pulled her face out of that water…”

Stuart is a mother and is married.

“We love you Butta…my Butta. No words just tears,” Perry Bethel another relative, wept.

Coworker Giovanni Hanchell said he remembered her with a smile on her face. “This right here hurt me because she was always happy.

“My heart is broken.”

Friend Erica Corneille remembers her as a “humble soul and loving person.”

Miller hopes people will become their brother’s keeper. “Check on those family and friends that distance themselves. That call or text can go a long way. Let’s get back to uplifting each other rather than tearing each other down. You never know what silent battles people are fighting.”

A motive for the suicide remains unknown.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, call the Bahamas Crisis Center at 326-0121. Or speak to a trusted friend or clergyman.

Minutes after a woman died jumping off the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge on Sunday, a reporter in the area witnessing the horrifying ordeal, gave insight into what happened the moments before tragedy struck.

The woman, described as heavily built and wearing a black top and shorts, is believed to be in her mid-30s. Authorities are still trying to identify her by name.

“It’s scarring,” Anthonique Smith, a reporter from ZNS said, describing the moments after she learned the woman she spotted earlier had jumped to her death.

Smith and a cameraman were in transit when they heard “agitated patrons” nearby. When they stopped, they saw a woman perched at the top of the bridge.

“The woman sat for a while, a bus passed and the silhouette of the woman was gone.”

“I realized she jumped,” Smith said.

A boat went out and retrieved her but she was dead.

Authorities said they received a call around 3 pm of a woman attempting to jump over the bridge, but when they arrived, the woman was not present as reported.

What’s unknown

Police do not know the name of the woman or her next of kin.

A motive for the alleged suicide remains unknown.

The reaction

When news circulated on social media, many Bahamians expressed shock.

Montez Brown believes mental health is a serious issue that needs to be immediately addressed.

“Too many people walking around suffering mentally with no one to turn to…People walking lost and even some fully functioning but dep down going through stuff and don’t know why they having the feelings they have.”

Harold Longley reflected on life, stating that people’s problems may seem insurmountable and they may resort to taking their own lives.

Nikita Campbell asks that we pray earnestly for others.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, call the Bahamas Crisis Center at 326-0121. Or speak to a trusted friend or pastor.

Hollywood legend Sidney Poitier died nearly two weeks ago at the age of 94.

He was an American-Bahamian actor and director, being the first black man to win the best actor Oscar for the 1963 film Lilies of the Field. 

Poitier, dedicated to his craft, is also remembered for his other works including In The Heat Of The Night and To Sir With Love.

He was also active in the civil rights movement.

The government of the Bahamas honored Poitier through pictures at a bridge named in his honor.