6-Week-Old Florida Child Orphaned After Sheriff Deputy Parents Both Die by Suicide
Clayton Osteen and Victoria Pacheco served as Sheriff’s Deputies in St. Lucie County, Florida. Their son was born in November.
A 6-week-old baby is now an orphan after both parents died by suicide within two days of each other.
Clayton Osteen and Victoria Pacheco served as Sheriff’s Deputies in St. Lucie County, Florida. Sheriff Ken Mascara described the two as “young and ambitious” in a statement.
Deputy Pacheco was given a department award for Life Saving after assisting a man in cardiac arrest, and Deputy Osteen was awarded 2020 St. Lucie County Deputy of the Year.
Their son, Jayce, was born on November 22, 2021.
“For reasons completely unknown and totally out of character, Clayton Osteen died by suicide on December 31st,” the family wrote on a GoFundMe page for the newborn. “In pain from the loss of her partner and child’s father, Victoria Pacheco also died by suicide two days later.”
Sheriff Mascara said he hopes this tragedy will be "a catalyst to help erase the stigma surrounding mental well-being and normalize the conversation about the challenges so many of us face on a regular basis.”
Related Stories
Trending on Inside Edition
Scientists Developing Biological Sensor to Help Detect Alzheimer's and Other Diseases: Study
Health
Pennsylvania Woman Charged With Killing Her Parents, Dismembering Them With a Chainsaw, Authorities Say
Crime
Teen, 13, Arrested for Allegedly Shooting 2 Students Near New York City High School
Crime
Body of Missing Pennsylvania Mom Found in Shallow Grave After 2-Week Search, Authorities Say
Crime
Idaho Murders: Pillow Stained 'Reddish-Brown' Among Items Listed on Bryan Kohberger Home Search Warrant
Crime
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Resigns After Not Having “Enough in the Tank to Do It Justice”
News