Tue | Oct 7, 2025
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Husband details Judge Ruth Lawrence’s final hours

Published:Tuesday | October 7, 2025 | 7:13 AM

The husband of late Trelawny Parish Judge Ruth Lawrence recounted her final day, claiming she became ill and later admitted to ingesting poison. According to his account, he found her on the bathroom floor in distress before she reportedly confessed to consuming a poisonous substance. Despite his attempts to assist, Lawrence was later pronounced dead at hospital. Authorities are treating the matter as a suspected suicide.

Judicial anguish 

Suicide suspected in Trelawny judge’s death, poison reportedly found in her room

Jamaica Gleaner/2 Oct 2025Adrian Frater/Gleaner Writer

AS MEMBERS of the legal fraternity grieved the shocking death of Trelawny Parish Judge Ruth Lawrence, police yesterday outlined how her spouse’s detailing of the 14 hours leading up to the loss of the almost 30-year veteran of the judiciary.

Based on preliminary investigations, the police are treating the death of Lawrence, who was reportedly found in a state of medical distress at her home on Tuesday evening and later pronounced dead at the Falmouth Public Hospital, as a suspected case of suicide.

In a release yesterday, the Jamaica Constabulary Force stated that the 59-yearold Lawrence, who resided in Coral Springs Village, Trelawny, with her 47-year-old musician spouse Prince Smith, had seemingly ingested a poisonous substance as a container with Paraquat, a deadly poison, was found at the location.

The news of Lawrence’s death sparked an outpouring of respect for her work in the justice system, which was described as inspirational, fair and reflective of the ideals of the justice system, by persons who knew her and admired her level-headed and meticulous approach to the execution of her duties.

“It is with deep and profound sorrow that I, on behalf of the judiciary and myself personally, extend heartfelt condolences on the passing of Her Honour Ruth Lawrence. Ruth dedicated her life to the service of justice, exemplifying unwavering commitment, compassion, and professionalism throughout her career,” read a statement from Chief Justice Bryan Sykes.

EXTENSIVE AND EXEMPLARY SERVICE

In a statement, Zuleika Jess, the People’s National Party’s spokesperson on justice, said Lawrence gave extensive and exemplary service to Jamaica’s justice system, serving with distinction until her death.

“Her distinguished career in public service was marked by unwavering commitment to justice and a deep respect for the rights of all individual. She earned the admiration of her colleagues and the gratitude of those she served,” said Jess. “Her work reflected the highest ideals of fairness and equity, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations of legal practitioners and public servants across Jamaica.”

Michael Hemmings, the president of the Cornwall Bar Association, which lost another member of the association this week with the passing of attorney Denley Saddoo, said the association was sadden by the passing of Lawrence, who he described as well-reasoned and compassionate.

“Her Honour Ruth Lawrence was a compassionate lady, well-reasoned and balanced in carrying out her duties on the bench. I share fond memories of appearing before her in trial matters in Trelawny. She was soft-spoken and an overall great individual,” said Hemmings.

Based on information provided by Smith to the police, as was customary, he knocked on Lawrence’s room door at approximately 5 a.m. on Tuesday for them to go on their regular morning run, but she did not respond. Thinking she was still resting or not feeling well, he went out on his own. Smith said when he returned about 9 a.m, he prepared breakfast and lunch, but Lawrence had still not left her room to go to court, which was her usual weekday routine. He said he assumed she may have called in sick, as she did not respond when he called out to her.

Smith said between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., he approached the bathroom door and heard the deceased moaning and groaning, as though experiencing abdominal pain or diarrhoea. At approximately 4 p.m., he said he again

knocked on her door and asked if she was okay. He said she responded in anguish, saying she could not move.

He further told the police that he went outside and looked through the bathroom window, where he observed Lawrence partially naked on the bathroom floor. He said he went back inside and after pleading with her to open their door, without success, he told her he was going to call the police. At that point, he said she finally opened the door.

Smith said when he went inside the bathroom, he saw Lawrence on the floor surrounded by faeces and vomit. He said she told him that her stomach was burning and that she had ingested poison. He said he gave her charcoal, thinking that it would have neutralised the effects of the substance she had ingested.

However, while cleaning up the apartment, he said he stumbled upon a bottle containing a blue liquid he recognised as Paraquat, a toxic chemical herbicide, which is commonly associated with fatal poisoning. Sometime after 7 p.m., he said he noticed that she had become unresponsive, though he could still hear her heartbeat. He said he transported Lawrence to the Falmouth Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 7:18 p.m.

The police also reported that the close protection officer (CPO) who was assigned to Lawrence took her to a doctor on Monday, where she was granted three days of sick leave. The CPO reportedly said she asked him to drop off the sick leave document at the court’s office, which was seen as an indication that she was going to be absent from work for the following three days.

The police also stated that Smith told them that,over recent weeks, Lawrence had appeared “visibly stressed and emotionally burdened”, particularly regarding workrelated matters, which included an impending transfer. However, he said she had not given any indication of contemplating self-harm or suicidal intent.

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