Freddie Gray's mother 'attempts suicide' six months after her son died during brutal police arrest 

  • Gloria Darden 'taken to hospital on Wednesday with superficial wounds'
  • Her son Freddie Gray was killed during brutal police arrest in April
  • His death sparked national outrage and riots, the officers were indicted  

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 00:01 EST, 23 October 2015 | Updated: 00:43 EST, 23 October 2015

Freddie Gray's mother has attempted suicide, police claim.

Gloria Darden, whose 25-year-old son died while being brutally detained by police in Baltimore earlier this year, suffered superficial wounds and was taken to hospital on Wednesday night, according to KHOU.

She was said to be undergoing a mental health evaluation on Thursday.

'I seen the police and ambulance right there. They were taking the lady out and putting her on the stretcher bed,' neighbor Diana Bruce told CBS Baltimore.

The Gray family lawyer Billy Murphy told the news network in a statement: 'She is still mourning the loss of her son. The family asks that you continue to pray for her and for them.'

Scroll down for video  

Tragic: Gloria Darden, Freddie Gray's mother (pictured at his funeral), suffered superficial wounds and was taken to hospital on Wednesday night after she allegedly attempted suicide, according to law enforcement

Tragic: Gloria Darden, Freddie Gray's mother (pictured at his funeral), suffered superficial wounds and was taken to hospital on Wednesday night after she allegedly attempted suicide, according to law enforcement

Gloria Darden
Freddie Gray died in April

Gloria (left) was left devastated after her 25-year-old son (right) died while being brutally detained by police in Baltimore earlier this year. His death led to widespread protests against law enforcement in Baltimore

In an interview with Lester Holt in May, Darden broke down in tears as she described how she would never be the same in the wake of his death. 

She could barely talk through her grief for the rest of the interview as Gray's twin sister Fredricka said: 'For me to lose my twin I can't sleep some nights. I cry, I really miss him - the pain I feel, it's unbearable.' 

Although they condemned the violence which broke out in Baltimore in the wake of his death, they hoped it could bring about change and they believed Gray would have wanted similar if he was still alive.

Richard Shipley, his stepfather, said: 'I was so hurt and ashamed that [the protesters] would apparently attempt to use it in the name of Freddie.

'Even though it was a tragic situation we must protest and raise our voices in a peaceful manner.'

Gray's death led to five nights of turmoil across the city, during which authorities imposed a 10pm - 5am curfew in a bid to quell violent protests.

More than 200 businesses were destroyed during the unrest at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars, while locals clashed with riot control police on the streets after dark.

Darden pictured (second right) and the rest of Gray's family at a press conference soon after his death in April

Darden pictured (second right) and the rest of Gray's family at a press conference soon after his death in April

The National Guard was brought into the city to help maintain order, until the six police officers were charged and gatherings became more peaceful.

Police arrested at least 486 people during the unrest.

Six police officers were charged with crimes ranging from misconduct in office to second-degree murder over Gray's death, which prosecutors say was a direct result of police negligence and indifference to the young man's suffering.

Officer Caesar R Goodson Jr, who was driving the van, was hit with the murder charge as well as three variants of manslaughter.

Three other officers were charged with manslaughter, while the remaining two stand accused of lesser offences. All six have posted bail, which reportedly ranged from $250,000 to $350,000.

Marilyn Mosby, the State's Attorney for Baltimore, laid her indictment against the officers in a fiery press conference.

She said the officers had no good reason to arrest Gray, and that his fatal neck injuries were a direct result of the way officers restrained him. 

Comments (2)

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now