By: Emmanuel Koffa |Grand Kru Correspondent
Picnicess, Grand Kru County |May 12, 2026|What began as a normal rainy evening in Picnicess, Grand Kru County quickly turned into a heartbreaking tragedy for the family of Juah Tarplah Barsseh, an elderly woman remembered by many as the provider and caretaker of her household.
Family members say the woman, believed to be in her 60s, had spent the day carrying out her usual activities before dark clouds gathered over the community on Friday, May 8, 2026.
As heavy rain and thunder intensified, Barsseh reportedly attempted to move from her bedroom into the sitting room when lightning suddenly struck through the house, hitting her instantly.
The terrifying moment left relatives and neighbors in panic.
“We heard the loud sound and rushed inside,” recalled a relative, E.D. Swen. “She fell to the ground, and everyone started crying and trying to help her.”
Despite desperate efforts by community members to save her life by rushing her to a nearby health center, she was later pronounced dead.
For residents of Picnicess, the tragedy has become more than just another storm-related death. It is the painful loss of a woman many described as resilient, selfless, and deeply devoted to her family.
After the death of her husband years ago, Barsseh reportedly became both mother and father to her children, relying mainly on farming to provide food and basic support for the family. Neighbors say she worked tirelessly to keep the household together, even during difficult economic times.
“She lived for her children and grandchildren,” said community resident Jerome Sikar. “People in the community respected her because she was always struggling to help her family survive.”
Now, the children and grandchildren she fought to support are left facing an uncertain future without the woman they had depended on most.
As funeral preparations begin, relatives are appealing for assistance from humanitarian organizations, local authorities, and well-meaning citizens to help support the family during this difficult period.
In Picnicess, many residents say the sound of thunder now carries a painful reminder of the night one family lost its backbone.
