The news later circulated on social networks and some newspapers also reported on the case. 

''Dear all, I spent all yesterday in Tortona,'' Giacomo Martino said in the message to members of his parish. ''One of our young people from Multedo, Prince Jerry - whose request for a stay permit was rejected before Christmas and after finding out that he could not apply for a humanitarian permit either after it was annulled by the recent government decree - killed himself by throwing himself in front of a train. I had to go through the identification process for the remains of his body. It was a difficult but important moment because I felt it was a duty to accompany him in this last desolation of his.'' 

He asked that a prayer be said for him and his family. Martino then explained that the message with the announcement of Prince Jerry's death had been private and written to remain that way, as he did not wish to exploit the young man's death in any way. 

Prince Jerry was born near Benin City and arrived on the Sicilian coast on June 16, 2016 after getting a university degree in chemistry. He then arrived in Genoa the same month. Those who knew him said that he spoke Italian very well and that he worked as a volunteer. ''He was a special, extraordinary young man. Very sensitive and well-educated,'' Don Giacomo said. ''He had filed a request for political asylum but it had been rejected and he found this out in mid-December. December 17, to be exact. And he was no longer within the requirements for a status that is no longer allowed for under the law that used to ensure a permit for humanitarian reasons.''