Man drinks Gramoxone before date with court
Two days after he drank a âChubbyâ bottle filled with Gramoxone, Ricky Simon died.{{more}}
The 42-year-old Calder resident succumbed to the deadly weedicide on Thursday, May 29th, the same day he was due to appear before the Family Court. Plagued by his personal troubles, Laringston âRickyâ Simon took the decision to end his life.
Relatives told SEARCHLIGHT that since the beginning of the year, Simon had been severely depressed by his brush with the law, and lived in fear of a receiving a lengthy sentence from the court for his offence.
When SEARCHLIGHT visited Simonâs home on Wednesday, June 4th, family members were trying to remain strong in the midst of the adversity.
âWhen I visited Ricky at the hospital last week Wednesday, he said âTanty Jean, I wonât make it. You wonât see me againâ. He told me to take home his clothes because I wonât meet him when I get back,â his grieving mother, Jean Simon reminisced.
Jean lamented that her first born of six children told her that he was stressed and could no longer make it.
Recalling another conversation she had with him prior to his death, Jean stated: âHe said âTanty Jean, I disgraced my family and my community.â She said that she encouraged Ricky to pray as well as to seek counselling, of which he chose the former.
âIâm feeling real sad,â said Jean, noting that on Saturday, May 24, 2008, Ricky told her of a dream that he had, where he was digging banks to plant potato vines. âI told him that is death but he didnât say anything.
âGod is good. He will deliver us,â Jean sighed, expressing that she is grateful for the support and encouragement that her neighbours gave along with the calls made by friends.
One of Rickyâs younger brothers, Shawn Simon, said from the moment he heard of his brotherâs action, he had the feeling that it could be tragic.
âNormally, when you drink those things, there is a possibility you wonât survive,â said Shawn.
Ricky was laid to rest at the Stubbs Cemetery on Wednesday, June 6, following a funeral service at the Calder New Testament Church. (HN)