The isolated Australian town where five residents have taken their own lives in just four weeks

The isolated Australian town where five residents have committed suicide in just four weeks

  •  Six people from the Pilbara region in WA have committed suicide in four weeks
  •  Five of the individuals were from the city of Karratha, 1500km north of Perth
  •  A 12-year-old girl from South Hedland is believed to have taken her own life
  •  Police say they are working with partners to support the local communities 

Five residents of a town in Western Australia have taken their own lives in just four weeks.

A women and four men, aged between 20 and 40, all from the isolated city of Karratha, 1500km north of Perth, committed suicide over the Christmas period.

It is unknown if the deceased were known to each other.

A women and four men aged between 20 and 40 from Karratha (pictured) took their own lives over the Christmas period (stock image)

A 12-year-old Aboriginal girl from South Hedland, a suburb of the mining town Port Hedland in the Pilbara region, as well as a 14-year-old girl from the small Kimberley community of Frog Hollow, south of Warmun, are also thought to have taken their lives on Sunday,

Superintendent Paul Coombes from Pilbara police said officers were working alongside other agencies to look after the wellbeing of the community.

He told ABC News that the deaths were ‘highly sensitive and traumatic for the families involved as well as the wider community’.

‘We are working in partnership with relevant agencies and key stakeholders in assisting and supporting the families and communities affected by these tragic events,’ he said.

Chanel Nicholas (pictured) is one of the individuals who tragically took her own life

Chanel Nicholas (pictured) is one of the individuals who tragically took her own life

Pilbara is a thinly populated region in the north of Western Australia, the region’s economy is reliant on mining, construction and exports.

Karratha has a population of 16,000. 

A service is planned to be held today in Perth for Chanel Nicholas, who tragically took her own life. 

Ms Nicholas worked as a marketing manager in the city shopping centre and was a prominent member of local community groups.

A close friend said Ms Nicholas would be sorely missed.

‘Her involvement in the shops was the first time someone from there had engaged the Aboriginal community, by stepping out of the norm and getting us involved she made lifelong friendships,’ she told Perth Now.

As of September last year Western Australia recorded its highest suicide rate in more than 20 years, with 409 people taking their own lives.

A spokesperson for Karratha police department declined to comment when approached by Daily Mail Australia.

For help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14

The Pilbara region is a thinly populated region in the north of Western Australia (stock image)

The Pilbara region is a thinly populated region in the north of Western Australia (stock image)

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