US2 min(s) read
Published 11:59 09 Jan 2022 GMT
The grandmother of a Florida deputy who died by suicide within days of her fellow cop partner ending his life has spoken out about the double suicide.
Bernice Bartolini took to Facebook to share her loss, likening the deaths to a "tragic Romeo and Juliet story."
Victoria Pacheco was just 23 years old when she died by suicide earlier this week, after being unable to cope with the loss of her boyfriend Clayton Osteen, 24.
The St. Lucie County Deputies leave behind their one-month-old son Jayce.
In a Facebook post, Pacheco's grandmother Bartolini described her terrible grief alongside pictures of her granddaughter.
"My heart is so sad," she wrote. "Tragic Romeo and Juliet story they are now together forever.
Bartolini continued: "Victoria and I were very close when I lived in Florida she was there for me I wish I could have been there for her. My insides are being torn apart my heart hurts so bad. Her Mom and Dad need our prayers."
She added that "this loss is so painful for everyone so please be kind and watch your family keep them close to your heart."
Both Pacheco and Osteen were laid to rest on Saturday. In a later Facebook post, Bartolini spoke about the service.
"Today we put my Granddaughter Victoria to rest with her beloved Clayton, side by side," she wrote.
"I felt my insides crumble like a ton of bricks, my knees weakening, as a piece of my heart went to be with her forever and a piece of hers with me. Victoria has gone but the memories she left are held close to me forever till we see each other again," she added.
On a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for baby Jayce, a friend described the tragic circumstances in which Pacheco and Osteen died, adding that their suicides were "completely out of character."
"Clayton and Victoria were joy-filled, first-time parents excited about their growing family, enamored with their baby Jayce, and so in love with each other."
"Tragically, for reasons completely unknown and totally out of character, Clayton took his own life December 31st, 2021. Reeling from the shock of loss, Victoria took her own life two days later."
The page - which has already raised over $100,000 for the orphaned baby - also shared that a close family member will be adopting little Jayce.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out for help and contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
