Sarah Bhagwatti Rudolph, a 20-year-old resident of Big Dipper Lane in Palm Coast and a Matanzas High School graduate, took her life by hanging during the night from Saturday to Sunday (March 2 and 3), according to a Flagler County Sheriff’s report–the fourth suicide of a Flagler resident 25 or younger since September.
Rudolph’s 51-year-old father received a call from her workplace Saturday morning, informing him she had not come to work. When he went in to check on his daughter, she was not in her bed, but he saw her vehicle still in the driveway, as were all the family’s vehicles. Her 48-year-old mother checked her daughter’s location through a phone app, showing her still at home, the sheriff’s report states. She found her by the closet and initially thought she was choking just then. They called 911. Her mother was applying CPR when a sheriff’s deputy arrived.
A Palm Coast Engine 23 firefighter pronounced Sarah Bhagwatti Rudolph dead at 9:39 Sunday. The sheriff’s office then established a crime scene, as is normal in such circumstances, with detectives and crime scene investigators working the scene and the medical examiner removing the body shortly after 1 p.m. Moments after that, the crime scene was broken down.
Rudolph had made her way through the Flagler County school system from her earliest year, going through Belle Terre Elementary, Indian Trails Middle School and Matanzas High, then attaining her associates degree from Daytona State College. She had recently been admitted into the U.S. Air Force, according to her obituary.
The inordinate number of suicides in Flagler County–the county proportionately led the state in suicides in 2017–has caught the attention of local officials, through such organizations as FlaglerCares (whose Flagler Lifeline is devoted to suicide prevention) and the Public Safety Coordinating Council, a grouping of judicial, social service, law enforcement and county officials. The council was scheduled to devote a discussion to suicide at its March 13 meeting. That discussion has been postponed to the April meeting.
The following resources are available for individuals in crisis:
In Flagler: The Crisis Triage and Treatment Unit (CTTU) is a crisis assessment and referral service for Flagler County residents experiencing behavioral health crisis. It is located at 301 Justice Lane in the Brown & Brown Outpatient building at the Vince Carter Sanctuary in Bunnell. This program is limited to individuals escorted to the program by law enforcement between the hours of noon and midnight daily. Law enforcement is able to transport individuals to SMA to assess and determine the appropriate clinical disposition. When required and appropriate, SMA then transports the individual to a receiving facility in Volusia County.
In Daytona Beach: Stewart-Marchman Act Corporation Crisis Center
1220 Willis Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Crisis Line: (800) 539 – 4228
Available 24 hours.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800/273-8255 (TALK).
If you are concerned for someone else, read about warning signs here. For additional resources, see the Speaking of Suicide website.
Michael Van Buren says
My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family and friends. Suicide had taken too many too early. 😢
Rick G says
This obviously is a tragedy. Perhaps the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline may not be enough no matter how much good they may do. More resources need to be provided for mental health and for those troubled by internal matters that may affect them.
Sue Urban says
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Both my sons went to school with her. I understand the heartbreak as my son Nicholas Urban took his own life on September 11th. If I can be of any assistance through this please feel free to contact me. I have made it my mission to fight in honor of my son to prevent the loss of another life. I am so sorry that it was not in time to save your child.
Richard says
So very sorry for the family and friends of this very troubled young lady. Obviously there was something about her life that she felt wasn’t worth fighting or living for any longer. I have previously considered suicide and I would bet that most people have at least given it a slight thought at one time or another. But actually acting on it and carrying through with the act versus “thinking” about it are two very different things. Considering the increase of suicides over the years since I was a young lad in the 40’s, there is obviously something VERY wrong in the world and with people which is not being addressed. And any amount of resources and outside help is NOT going to reduce these suicides any time soon as they are NOT addressing the root cause of them. Exactly what do you expect when you keep doing the same thing over & over again expecting different results. It ain’t going to happen. Change the approach and you just may change the end results!
FPC Granny says
My heart breaks for this family. Sarah was a bright, talented young lady withholding so much promise for the future. So tragic this life was ended so soon. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the family and friends!
girl says
So sad, may she RIP… Prayers to family and friends… So much pressure from society and unable to cope.
hawkeye says
Prayers to the family, I have known her Mom ,Seirly, for over 20 years , she is one of the sweetest and delightful women you could ever meet, hopefully she will be o-k along with her husband and son. This is too sad.
concerned citizen #2 says
My Heartfelt Condolences to this Family. I know the pain all too well. I lost my son to a car accident. No matter how you lose a child, the pain is all the same. I just pray God gives them the strength to move forward in life. Its gonna take some time to recover, but they will be just fine. With a whole lot of prayer and seeking God and staying around positive people to help encourage them and having family talks, will help ease the pain. She will always live within their hearts and she will never be forgotten. God Bless this Family.
Diane says
Wake up Flagler! The suicide rate in Palm Coast is tragic. Every student should be required to take some kind of courses in School to help circumvent some future devastating suicides.
Horace says
Very humble and pleasant family, known them from church and we communicated periodically. Very sad we wish them the best and will continue to support them as they pick up the pieces. Gods riches blessings.
Mary says
It’s been two years since you passed away. I miss you and I love you. You will forever be my fiancée. Forever and always my love.