A father’s battle with depression ended tragically after his daughter was taken into care, leading to a heartbreaking inquest into his death.
Penryn: It’s a tough story to share. Dean Wright, a dad of four, was really struggling after his daughter was taken into care. He had a long history of depression and was fighting hard to get her back.
One evening in March last year, after watching football with his son, he left home. At first, his family wasn’t too worried. Dean often went for walks to clear his head. But when he didn’t come back, they started to panic.
They searched all night, and the next day, police got involved. They found CCTV footage of him walking towards Falmouth University. Sadly, they later discovered his body in a nearby wooded area.
Dean was well-liked in his community. He had played football growing up and was a family man. His mom shared that they were a happy family until things changed when his daughter was taken away.
His mental health took a hit, and he struggled with alcohol and drug use. Despite trying to get help, he often fell back into old habits when life got overwhelming.
The coroner’s inquest revealed that Dean had taken alcohol and cocaine before his death. It was concluded that he likely took his own life, given his long battle with depression.
It’s a heartbreaking reminder of how important mental health support is, especially for those facing family struggles.
