A young love story has come to a tragic end after two Ohio teenagers who were dating and expecting a child together committed suicide just two days apart.
College student Mercedes Smith reportedly took her life in her dorm room at Lindsey Wilson Community College. The 18-year-old, who ran on the track and field team, was found unresponsive and her death came as a shock to her friends and family and the local community.
“Mercedes was a good-spirited person who showed promise in her future,” said Track and Field head coach Jamaine Gordon. “She was a fun and loving person and everyone enjoyed being around her. She will be truly missed.”
Two days after her suicide, Smith’s boyfriend Markeice “Mari” Brown also killed himself.
After he was reportedly bullied online, with some said to have blamed him for Mercedes decision to committ suicide, the 17-year-old posted a lengthy message and video online before taking his own life.
Brown said that Smith was pregnant with his child and she had shared the news with him on his birthday.
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In his Facebook Live video, Brown said his final goodbyes to his loved ones before taking his life.
“I love all y’all, but I’m tired of being blamed for everything. I just can’t do it no more. Y’all don’t even know what she was going through. Y’all don’t know what we was going through…Ma, I love you. I love you, Ma. I just can’t do this no more…I love all my brothers, man. I love all my sisters, man. Real talk….I don’t know what else to say. I’m trying to get all my words out before I go…I can’t do this no more, brah. I tried. Everybody knew I loved Mercedes, brah. Y’all sound dumb if y’all think I didn’t.”
A GoFund Me page was created by Smith’s family in prepartion for her burial and friends of Brown’s started a Facebook page in his honor.
Our deepest sympathies go out to both families at this difficult time.