An apparent suicide was the focus of a police investigation yesterday after the discovery of the lifeless body of an elderly man, in a home in the Murphyville area of Palmdale.

Head of the Central Detective Unit Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander briefed reporters on the findings made by police.

 “Sometime around 10:30 a.m. the body of an elderly gentleman, who appeared to be in his early 70s, was found hanging from a tree at the rear of his home. The only information we have at this time is that family members went out leaving their uncle at home, when they returned they made checks for him and he was not in the house.

“While checking the rest of the property they found him hanging from a tree in the backyard, when the EMS personnel arrived they checked the body and found no signs of life,” Mr. Fernander said.

This comes just over a month after a 48-year-old resident of Hillside Estates and father of three was found hanging from the rafters in a work shed behind his home in late June.

These incidents seem to be forming a trend that has prompted authorities to renew their appeal for Bahamians to be vigilant in terms of their mental health and that of family members.

“For persons out there pay attention to your family members and loved ones and if you’re going through problems find somebody that you can talk to. Reach out to your pastor or somebody that you are comfortable with, try to discuss your problems with them so they can give you the best advice.

“Don’t take it on by yourself because this causes things to build up. There are normally tell signs if you see a person tend to be staying in more than usual or doing strange things reach out to some professionals who could give you the best advice to try and save a life, ” Mr. Fernander said.

The victim’s family refused to be interviewed for comment.

The Journal spoke with a few of the area residents who declined to be indentified but they indicated that the family had only recently moved into the home.