A devastating tragedy has left a community in mourning after Lamont, a father of two who was struggling with homelessness and mental health challenges, died by suicide shortly after being publicly criticized online by his children’s mother.
Lamont, who was doing his best to remain present in the lives of his children—despite difficult personal circumstances—had agreed to care for them overnight. The plan was to stay temporarily at a friend’s home. However, that arrangement fell through when the friend had to leave unexpectedly. When the children’s mother failed to return as planned, Lamont and the kids were left with nowhere to go.
With no shelter available and few resources at his disposal, Lamont was forced to sleep outside with his children. During the night, his young son was reportedly bitten badly by mosquitoes, leaving him uncomfortable and in pain. The experience, combined with Lamont’s ongoing battle with depression and feelings of helplessness, proved to be overwhelming.
The next day, Lamont came across social media posts made by the children’s mother—posts that publicly criticized and shamed him, calling him a bad father and questioning his ability to care for their children. Already weighed down by emotional hardship and doing everything he could under impossible circumstances, the public nature of the accusations appeared to push Lamont past a breaking point.
In what would become his final message, Lamont took to Facebook to write a short but heartbreaking post addressed to his children:
“Sorry Makaila & Karson 💔 Daddy loves y’all.”
Soon after, Lamont took his own life.
The news of his passing has shocked and saddened many, with an outpouring of condolences and outrage flooding social media. Those who knew him say Lamont was a kind and devoted father who loved his children deeply, even as he faced some of life’s harshest realities.
“He didn’t have much, but he tried his hardest for those kids,” one friend shared. “He was doing the best he could with the cards he’d been dealt.”
Lamont’s story has struck a chord across the internet, sparking important conversations about mental health, homelessness, fatherhood, and the lasting impact of online shaming. Advocates are emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding—especially toward individuals who may already be struggling in silence.
“This is a tragic reminder of how powerful and painful public words can be,” said one mental health advocate. “Shaming someone online—particularly a parent doing their best in impossible conditions—can have devastating consequences. We need to do better.”
Lamont’s death is not just a personal loss for his children and those who cared about him—it is also a reflection of broader systemic issues. Homeless parents often face tremendous pressure to remain active in their children’s lives despite having little access to stable housing, income, or mental health support. Too often, their struggles are met with judgment instead of empathy.
In light of this heartbreaking loss, many are calling for increased awareness of suicide prevention, especially for fathers and men experiencing homelessness, who often suffer in silence due to stigma and lack of support.
Lamont is survived by his two young children, Makaila and Karson, who will now grow up without their father—but hopefully with the truth about how deeply he loved them, even in his darkest hour.