Skip to main content

Home News News World

Gay man identified after taking own life in Atlanta park

By Will Stroude

Michael George Smith Jr, known as London Jermaine, was only 22-years-old when was found dead in an Atlanta park last week.

According to Rolling Out, the police reported that there were no defensive wounds on his body, and confirmed the death was a result of suicide, along with the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office.

Shortly before his body was found found, London posted a Facebook message saying “I see y’all in the next life… Deadass. Father forgive me”.

Prior to this, he had posted images to his Facebook page that appeared to show a sibling sending him homophobic abuse. In response, the actor and model said “my mother is teaching my siblings to dispise [sic] Gays.. I’m done with Life. I’m Hurt To The Core.”

London-Jermaine-gay-shamed-Facebook

He had also posted an image to Facebook denouncing homophobia:

London-Jermaine-read

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among young people, with LGBT people disproportionately affected. If you are struggling, please call Samaritans on 116 123, or The London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard on 020 7837 6768. Both are open 24 hours a day.

There are resources to help you support a suicidal friend or loved one on NHS Choices.

More stories:
Justine Greening appointed UK’s first LGBT Minister for Equalities
‘Coming out to my wife was hard, but coming out to my family was another level entirely’