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Who was Jacqueline McDermott?
Jacqueline McDermott, also known as Jacqui, was a 22-year-old woman from Kitchener, Ontario, who loved art, travel, tree planting, and skateboarding. She was described by her family and friends as a light, a joy, and a generous soul who believed in the goodness of people and the promise of love on this earth.
What happened to Jacqueline McDermott?
In September 2022, Jacqueline McDermott decided to travel across the country in a retrofitted van and attend a yoga retreat in Merritt, B.C., which is 270 kilometers northeast of Vancouver. She was last seen by her family on Sept. 29, 2022, and reported missing on Oct. 1, 2022, after she failed to check in with them.
Her van was found broken down on Highway 97C between Merritt and Logan Lake, with her belongings inside, but no sign of her. A massive search operation was launched by the B.C. Search and Rescue Teams, with the help of the RCMP, the public, and her family and friends.
On Oct. 8, 2022, the body of a woman, believed to be Jacqueline McDermott, was found near Merritt by the searchers. The RCMP confirmed that they did not suspect any foul play or criminality in her death, and that the cause of her death would be determined by the Coroners Service for British Columbia.
Why did Jacqueline McDermott die by suicide?
On Oct. 14, 2022, Jacqueline McDermott’s mother, Nathalie St-Maurice, revealed in a social media post that her daughter had died by suicide, after struggling with mental health issues that she kept to herself. She said that Jacqueline had shared her darkness only with her journal, and that her strength and joy had masked the fear and sadness deep within her.
St-Maurice also said that she wanted her daughter’s suicide story to be shared, in hopes that it would spark more open conversations about mental health and reduce the stigma around it. She said that she hoped for a future where people would connect more deeply with their loved ones, listen to their answers, put away their phones, and trust them with their darkest secrets.
She also said that she wanted to honour Jacqueline’s memory by acknowledging the most unbearable truth: that in that moment, the darkness had won, and that she had chosen to leave them.
How did Jacqueline McDermott’s death affect her family and friends?
Jacqueline McDermott’s death left a huge void in the lives of her family and friends, who continue to mourn her loss and celebrate her life. Her memorial page on Facebook is filled with messages of love, support, grief, and gratitude from hundreds of people who knew her and were touched by her light.
Her family also set up a GoFundMe page to help with the funeral expenses and to create a legacy fund in her name, to support causes that she cared about, such as mental health, art, and the environment. The page has raised over $40,000 so far, surpassing the original goal of $25,000.
Her family also thanked everyone who had helped in the search for Jacqueline, and asked for privacy and respect as they learned how to live in a world without her.
What can we learn from Jacqueline McDermott’s death?
Jacqueline McDermott’s death is a tragic reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support, especially for young people who may be suffering in silence. It also shows us the need for more compassion and empathy for those who are struggling, and the courage to reach out for help when we need it.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566, or visit their website at suicideprevention.ca for more resources and information. You are not alone, and there is hope.
