In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the father of a 17-year-old Henderson teen who took her own life is speaking out to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. Hina Hin, the grieving father of Jennaleah Hin, shared his daughter’s story to raise awareness about the importance of gun safety and mental health support for teenagers.
**Family Dispute Turns Fatal**
The events leading up to Jennaleah’s death are as tragic as they are preventable. On the night of her disappearance, Jennaleah left her home in Henderson after a family dispute. Mark Speer, a commander with Red Rock Search & Rescue, revealed that she uttered chilling words to her family before leaving, saying, “You don’t have to worry about me anymore.”
Nearly a week later, Jennaleah’s body was discovered in a remote area east of Desert Sunflower Circle and Spanish Needle Street in Henderson. The Clark County coroner’s office confirmed that her death was a suicide involving a firearm, leaving her family and community devastated.
**Gun Safety Advocacy**
Hina Hin, in an emotional interview, expressed his belief that his daughter’s death could have been avoided if proper gun safety measures had been in place. He revealed that the firearm Jennaleah used belonged to her stepfather, Corey Swanson, who reported it missing on the same day she disappeared.
According to the police report, the argument that led to Jennaleah’s departure involved a dispute between her mother, Jennifer Swanson, and Corey Swanson about her relationship with her boyfriend. Hin emphasized the importance of securing firearms in households with teenagers, urging families to take necessary precautions to prevent such tragedies.
**Unanswered Questions and Community Support**
Despite the pain of losing his daughter, Hin traveled from San Jose, California, to join the search effort in Las Vegas. He shared his regret at not having seen Jennaleah in over a year, citing disagreements with her mother about visitation.
As the community grapples with the loss of a young life, City of Henderson Councilman Jim Seebock extended his condolences to Jennaleah’s family and friends. A candlelight vigil is planned to honor her memory at Foothill High School, where she was a senior, demonstrating the outpouring of support for those affected by suicide.
In the wake of this tragedy, it is essential to recognize the warning signs of suicide and reach out for help when needed. If you or someone you know is struggling, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 for support through calls, texts, or online chat.
The heartbreak of losing a loved one to suicide is a pain that no family should endure. Let Jennaleah’s story serve as a reminder of the importance of gun safety, mental health awareness, and community support in preventing teen suicide.