Family, friends, and community members are mourning the loss of Kyaria Elizabeth Rochelle Arceneaux, a 22-year-old Louisiana woman who tragically died by suicide shortly after celebrating her birthday. Her passing has left loved ones devastated and has sparked urgent conversations about the importance of mental health awareness and support.
Kyaria, affectionately remembered as “Kya,” turned 22 on August 12. Just weeks later, her life was cut short, leaving behind a family struggling to process the pain of her sudden loss. In a heartfelt message, her grieving mother shared the depth of her sorrow:
“I never thought I’d be planning a funeral for my babygirl. Moma loved you so much, baby. I’d give you my heart to keep yours beating. Keep me lifted, y’all—I’m gonna need it now, tomorrow, and two weeks from now. We just never know when someone is going through things.”
Those closest to Kyaria described her as vibrant, caring, and full of potential, but also as someone who carried “silent struggles” that were not always visible to others. Family members said she had battled mental health challenges and often felt she had no one to turn to, a reality that now weighs heavily on her loved ones.
“She was dealing with mental illness and had nobody to vent to,” one relative wrote in tribute. “Smh… Forever 22.”
The tragedy has shaken her community, where friends and supporters have taken to social media to express their grief and to celebrate the joy Kyaria brought into their lives. Many have remembered her bright smile, her kind heart, and the love she had for her family.
Mental health advocates note that Kyaria’s passing underscores the painful truth that struggles with depression, anxiety, and other illnesses often remain hidden. Loved ones have used her story to urge others to check in on friends, family, and neighbors — especially young people who may be silently carrying heavy burdens.
Funeral arrangements are currently being made, with her family asking for continued prayers and support during this difficult time.
As they prepare to lay her to rest, those who loved Kyaria say they are holding tightly to her memory — the laughter she shared, the love she gave, and the life that ended far too soon.
For her family, the grief is immeasurable, but their faith remains their source of strength. “I’m lost, I’m numb,” her mother said, “but God will see me through all of this.”
