Wave of Suspicious Deaths Leaves Communities in Shock
Inspector General of Police © GRTS
By Fatoumatta Jaiteh
A troubling wave of suspected suicides has emerged in recent days, with four deaths under suspicious circumstances leaving local communities gripped by fear and uncertainty.
The most recent case occurred on 8th April 2025, in Farato, where the body of a man identified as Bakary Darboe was discovered hanging in Iceland, a village within the Farato community. Believed to be between 30 and 40 years old, the victim was found by authorities who have since launched an investigation into the tragic discovery. The news has only deepened concerns about the rising number of similar cases in nearby areas.
Just a day earlier, on 7th April, police in Brikama responded to a similar incident in the West Coast Region. Adama Awa Baldeh, a 27-year-old housewife from Kassakunda, was found hanging between the villages of Jambanjelly and Kassakunda. Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding her death and are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
This alarming trend follows two earlier cases. On 5th April, Muhammed Sanno, a local resident of Dobong Kunda, was found hanging from a tree. The day before, 4th April, the body of Lalo Ceesay, a 50-year-old man, was discovered in a bush near Sami Pachonki in the Central River Region North.
Police have launched separate investigations into each of these incidents. However, the disturbing frequency of such deaths has left many residents feeling unsettled and concerned for their safety.
As fear continues to spread, the Gambia Police Force (GPF) is urging the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity or information that could assist in ongoing investigations. Local police stations have pledged to keep the public informed as new developments arise.
The spate of recent deaths has triggered widespread discussion among residents and officials alike, as communities struggle to come to terms with this unsettling series of events.
