By Jennifer P. Rendon
TRIGGER WARNING: SUICIDE
The Department of Education (Dep-Ed)-Schools Division of Aklan is mourning the loss of a young teacher who was found dead afternoon of Jan 30, 2022.
Mary Jane Jutic, 27, a resident of Ibajay, Aklan, and a SPED Teacher 1 of Ibajay Central School, allegedly committed suicide.
Jutic’s house help, Leny Cangayda, found her body inside her classroom at Ibajay Central School, Barangay Poblacion, Ibajay around 1:20 p.m. Sunday.
Jutic was rushed to Ibajay District Hospital where she was declared dead on arrival.
Captain Mark Darrell Villanueva, Ibajay police chief, said the victim left home around 8 a.m. Sunday.
She heard mass and was seen inside the town’s public market where she was seen buying a nylon rope.
It was believed that she proceeded to the school after that.
In an official statement, Dep-Ed Aklan said that “Ma’am Mary Jane allegedly entered the school premises using the gate at the back portion of the school. The two main gates of the school, which are used as the main entrances, were locked at that time.”
“However, it is presumed that she used the back gate, which was not padlocked and closed only using a chain. That portion is being used by the LGU Day Care Center.”
Before her body was discovered, Jutic allegedly left a message to a teachers’ group chat saying that she would commit suicide.
Her co-teachers immediately began looking for her. They also alerted her house help, who also went out to look for her.
It didn’t take long before Cangayda found her employer’s body.
Jutic has a one-year old son with her seafarer husband, who is presently onboard.
DEPRESSED
According to the victim’s mother, Teresita Remano, the victim had been having bouts with depression.
On January 19, she also attempted suicide by hanging herself.
Her family managed to avert her plan. They immediately scheduled her for a psychiatric treatment in Iloilo City.
Villanueva said the victim’s family did not suspect foul play in the incident.
Jutic also left a suicide note addressed to three family members.
In gist, the victim was telling those family members “sana masaya na kayo.”
Villanueva said they went to these three persons mentioned in the suicide note. They all declined to give any statement.
Apparently, there were some misunderstandings with the relatives mentioned but Villanueva didn’t elaborate further.
CALL FOR PROBE
On Monday, Dep-Ed Aklan released a statement stating that “it is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Mrs. Mary Jane Jutic…”
“We strongly appeal to our concerned authorities to ensure the speedy, thorough, and complete investigation of this case. Further, this Office requests assistance to Ma’am May Jane’s family and prayers for the eternal repose of her soul.”
The Department of Health has constantly reminded those who have problems or those who know individuals who are at risk of committing suicide that they could seek help and mental health crisis intervention:
The suicide prevention hotlines are available to those who need help:
Center for Health Development-Western Visayas: 1-800-10-333-8336, 09985324047, 09255469919
WVSUMC – 3202431 loc. 162 or 209; 3292360
WVMC – 3211797 loc. 186; 5037708
PMHU – 5298109
