Parish Court Judge Ruth Lawrence had taken time off from work shortly before her death by suspected suicide, police have confirmed.

The 59-year-old judge, who served at the Trelawny Parish Court, was pronounced dead at hospital on Tuesday evening after reportedly ingesting a poisonous substance at her home in Coral Springs Village.

According to police reports, Lawrence’s spouse—who has not been named but is said to be a musician—told investigators that she had been under increasing pressure at work in recent weeks.

He said she appeared visibly stressed and emotionally burdened, particularly over an impending job transfer, and had complained that the situation was weighing heavily on her.

However, he added that she had never previously expressed suicidal thoughts or intentions.

Her close protection officer reportedly confirmed that he accompanied her to a doctor’s visit the day before her death. At that appointment, she was granted three days’ sick leave.

The officer reportedly said he personally delivered the medical certificate to the court’s office on the morning of Lawrence’s passing.

Police say the spouse further reported that Lawrence spent much of the day in her room and later indicated to him that she had ingested poison and was experiencing severe abdominal pain.

She was rushed to the Falmouth Hospital but did not survive.

Detectives attached to the Falmouth Criminal Investigation Branch are continuing their investigations.