François Marro, father of six, found dead in Sédhiou, Senegal

François Marro, a 45‑year‑old father of six, was discovered hanging from a mango tree in the village of Kaniko (also reported as Kanito) in the Bambali commune of Senegal’s Sédhiou region on Sunday afternoon. He had been known locally for his football talent and was described by relatives as suffering from chronic illness and recent bereavement after his brother’s death. Medical records show Marro was under psychiatric care for psychical troubles, receiving treatment at the regional hospital Amadou Tidiane Bâ in Sédhiou and previously at a psychiatric centre in Ziguinchor. Local authorities, including mayor Ibrahima Touré, arrived at the scene, conducted standard investigations and transferred the body to the regional hospital morgue. An official inquiry has been opened to determine the circumstances of the death, and a burial is scheduled in his home village.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about mental‑health support in rural Senegal, with officials noting that Marro’s condition had appeared to improve in recent months before the tragic incident.