A ‘BRIGHT and talented’ young man who told people ‘nothing was wrong’ took his own life after his mental health deteriorated.
Charles Tiger Kelleway seemed “very well” to the psychiatrist who saw him the day before his death in Bournemouth.
The 21-year-old was found dead off a footpath near the Alum Chine suspension bridge.
An inquest held at Bournemouth Town Hall on December 14 heard that Charles had faced a long-lasting battle with his mental health and ‘wrestled with’ the side effects of his psychosis medication.
Despite this, he came across as a “bright, humorous and presentable” man to those who knew him.
Charles attended Dumpton School in Wimborne, before enrolling on an academic and sports scholarship at Millfield Senior School in Somerset.
His father, David Kelleway, told Bournemouth Coroners Court that he noticed “things were just a bit off” with Charles in the middle of 2021.
“I tried to get him some help, but he said everything was fine and there was no need to worry,” David said.
In September 2021, Charles moved away to start university and began to “slowly disengage” with his family during his first term.
When his father went to see him, he was described as being in a “quite a state”, having not attended his lectures and showing changes in his behaviour.
Charles was persuaded to return home with his family in February 2022 but was later admitted to St Ann's Hospital following an ‘episode of psychosis’.
He stayed in hospital for three months, before being discharged with a medication plan to treat his symptoms of psychosis.
While he was “stable” at first, Charles found himself deteriorating again and was admitted back to the hospital in December 2022 after another psychotic episode.
Charles was described as being “extremely unwell” at this time, and “struggling to cope” with the side-effects of his medication.
He spent months in hospital, before being discharged on April 3 of this year.
Charles’ care coordinator at St Ann’s met with him for a routine appointment two days later. He told the coroner: “That was the best I’d seen him.
“He was demonstrating a degree of hope.”
Discussing a second appointment on April 13, the care coordinator said: “There was no change in him.
“He came across as someone that was more confident and relaxed in himself.”
A final appointment was held on April 24. The care co-ordinator said: “He was somebody who seemed well.
“He engaged very well in conversation. He said he didn’t have any ideas of hurting or harming himself or ending his life.”
Then, on Tuesday, April 25, Charles was found by a dog walker by the suspension bridge in Alum Chime.
Coroner Brendan Allen offered his condolences and finalised that Charles died by suicide.
He noted Charles was an “extremely talented and personable young man”.
Charles’ care co-ordinator added: “I am very deeply sorry that Charles is not with us.
“We forget the impact that mental health can have on people.”
Anyone can contact Samaritans free 24/7. Call 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org for more information.
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