Liberia is mourning the tragic death of Clinton Zorkpor, widely known by friends and peers as “Skinny Rea”, a vibrant young man from Barnersville Estate whose life was reportedly claimed by suicide in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Though authorities have yet to issue an official statement, numerous sources, including heart-wrenching tributes from friends on Facebook, have confirmed the devastating news. Clinton, believed to be in his mid-20s, is said to have been battling depression for years, with those close to him describing a long and painful internal struggle masked by a quiet demeanor and occasional bursts of cheer.
In a private message exchanged with a friend months prior to his passing, now made public with permission, Clinton admitted to experiencing deep depression and even suicidal thoughts. In his own words, he wrote:
“Bro life f*** me up so bad that ion trust nobody again… THANK God everything back to normal. But I been depress that I even had suicidal thoughts bro. I was too open to people and caring but I saw where that got me.”
The message reveals a painful truth: Clinton had not been entirely silent about his suffering. He had reached out, perhaps in search of connection or healing, only to later retreat back into isolation. Though he claimed things had “returned to normal,” the lingering scars of betrayal, emotional loss, and heartbreak seemed to have continued haunting him beneath the surface.
Friends say he had recently been withdrawn, moody, and emotionally unstable. Several sources confirm that a recent breakup had deeply affected him, possibly becoming the final blow in an already ongoing battle with depression.
“He always kept things to himself,” one close friend wrote in a now-viral post. “But lately, you could tell something was really wrong. He seemed distant… like he was fading.”
According to people who interacted with Clinton in the days leading up to his death, he had grown increasingly withdrawn and emotionally unstable. Rumors also suggest he may have been dealing with a recent heartbreak, compounding his mental and emotional decline.
“He wasn’t just depressed. He was broken,” a source shared privately. “A lot of people failed to check on him because he always wore a smile.”
Clinton’s death has sent shockwaves across social media, with friends and even strangers calling for more awareness and support surrounding mental health, especially among young men in Liberia, where depression is often stigmatized or misunderstood.
Mental health advocates have urged the public to take this as a sobering reminder of the silent battles many are fighting. “People need to understand that depression is not laziness or weakness. It’s real. And it’s deadly when ignored,” said a counselor who asked to remain anonymous.
As of press time, funeral arrangements and further details about Clinton’s passing are yet to be disclosed.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please seek help. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional.
This is a developing story.
