Preventing suicide in Yuma: Local family loses their father to suicide

A local family shared their story on a loving father, husband, and son Esteban Miguel Orona, who committed suicide 3-years ago in September of 2015. Wife and mother, Claudia Navarro, said it has been an ongoing struggle dealing with her husband’s passing.

“I talked to him an hour before and if I knew that that would have been my last phone call with him, what could I have said? What could I have done? To make it better,” said Navarro.

Claudia keeps her late husband close to her heart with a locket filled with his ashes that inscribed with the words “Loved beyond words, missed beyond measure.

“Finding my faith and going back to my faith is what truly saved my life. I know it’s made me stronger because I know he’s in a place where he’s at peace, I know he’s resting and it gives me peace,” said Navarro.

Claudia is using her experience as a platform to help others in the community with the Yellow Ribbon Program in Yuma.

“I hope that sharing my story helps others to know that your life matters and that you’re here for a reason,” said Navarro.

If you or anyone you may know who is or has been a victim of suicide, you are encouraged to call 911 or the Yellow Ribbon Program at 800-273-TALK.