By Mary Saladna
EASTON, Mass. —
A police department in Massachusetts is raising awareness about postpartum depression on behalf of one of its officers, whose wife died by suicide nine days after giving birth to their twins.
Ariana Sutton, of Norton, delivered a boy and a girl on May 22, but their early arrival brought unforeseen challenges that placed an immense strain on her mental health. On May 31, she sadly died by suicide at the age of 36.
She is survived by her husband, Easton police Officer Tyler Sutton, their 4-year-old daughter, Melody, and their newborn twins, Everly and Rowan.
“Two weeks ago, we were calling him saying, ‘Congratulations,’ and putting cards together for him. Now, we’re preparing for a funeral,” said Easton police Chief Keith Boone. “He’s got a long road ahead of him to put the pieces back together of his life.”
Boone, with the permission of Ariana’s family, is speaking out about the tragedy and is encouraging others not to judge, but to learn about postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression impacts about one in seven people and the symptoms can at first seem similar to the symptoms of “baby blues,” a list that includes mood swings, anxiety, sadness, feeling overwhelmed, crying and difficulty sleeping. The symptoms, however, are more intense and last longer with postpartum depression and may interfere with the mother’s ability to care for her child or children and handle daily tasks. Some examples of postpartum depression symptoms are severe mood swings, excessive crying, difficulty bonding with the baby, withdrawing from family and friends, and feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of self-harm.
Boone said family members and friends of mothers need to watch out for signs of postpartum depression and not hesitate to reach out for professional help if they witness any.
“If Tyler’s story and Ariana’s story can help save somebody else, then that’s what he’s hoping he can accomplish,” Boone said.
Sutton family Ariana Sutton, 36, of Norton, Massachusetts, died May 31, 2023 after struggling with postpartum depression and committing suicide nine days after delivering twins.
Ariana Sutton was an Easton native and 2005 graduate of Oliver Ames High School. She received a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and became a member of the Impact Dance Company in Boston.
She co-owned the Starline Academy for the Performing Arts in Stoughton for the past eight years with her sister, Rayna Flaherty, and was a member of the Greater Brockton Dance Teacher’s Association.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Brockton. Visitation and burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ariana’s memory may be made via GoFundMe. Click here to reach the GoFundMe page set up for Tyler Sutton and the couple’s three children.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.
