JEDDAH, 18 June 2006 — A Saudi widow in her early fifties committed suicide in the southern region of Asir reportedly due to financial hardship, Al-Watan newspaper reported yesterday.
The woman, identified only as Asmari, was from Sahban village near Mahayel. She was found dead on Thursday in a pool of blood in her bathroom with several stab wounds on her body.
Next to the body was a 25-cm kitchen knife. Police have ruled out homicide. The investigation report says the woman tried to slit her own throat, then stabbed herself in the stomach and bled to death.
The woman’s surviving son and two daughters said their mother was very worried lately because of the financial burden that fell on her shoulders following their father’s death. The woman’s social security benefits amounted to SR1,000 a month.
