Rural area mobilizes after four young men take their own lives

Four young men from the same Missouri Bootheel county have committed suicide by hanging themselves in similar fashion in the past five months, baffling authorities and leaving many in the rural area groping for answers.

The four ranged in age from 18 to 20 and were from the Pemiscot County communities of Caruthersville and Hayti. Authorities declined to release their names.

The first death was in July, the most recent Nov. 10. The sheriff's department believes the four were acquainted. One served as a pallbearer at another's funeral, said County Coroner Jim Brimhall.

"It's just tearing everybody in the community up," Brimhall said.

"These kids, they have a little problem, but they think it's a big problem. It's a big problem to them."

Officials aren't sure if the deaths are related, but there are similarities.

All four of the young men hanged themselves in closets with belts from clothing bars. They were found clothed in a squatting position, Brimhall said.

There was no evidence of foul play, no evidence the young men were trying to temporarily cut off their air supply in the belief they could get a head rush, authorities said. Brimhall said investigators don't know if the later deaths were copycats of the first.

"We may never find out why," Sheriff's Lt. Ryan Holder said. "We're going to do what we can to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Three of the deaths occurred in Pemiscot County. The fourth occurred in nearby Scott County, but the young man was from Pemiscot County. Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said the case was unrelated to the others, but Pemiscot County authorities see similarities.

Pemiscot County law enforcement, school and religious leaders have been talking to young people to make it clear help is available if they feel depressed or overwhelmed. The communities are also seeking help from mental health professionals.

The Rev. Kenny Lee of the Caruthersville Wesleyan Church performed a funeral service for one of the 18-year-olds.

He called the teen "a real good kid" who loved sports and planned to play basketball at a community college.

"We're sure there's something going on," Lee said. "We just can't put our finger on it. No one knows the truth. Well, maybe the kids do."

Brimhall and other community leaders are asking young people to talk to them if they are hurting or don't feel they have alternatives.

"Call me at home," Brimhall said. "Call me at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. Don't even think about doing this."