'Beautiful' man, 24, found dead on major road after losing £3,000 in casino
A 'beautiful' young man tragically took his own life aged just 24 after saying he had lost £3,000 in a casino and telling his family he was worried about work.Michael Heath died on July 29 this year. He fell from a bridge over the A500, a major road between Cheshire and Staffordshire, before being struck by a HGV.An inquest into his death heard how Michael had previously battled health problems. The bet365 employee had attempted an overdose in January 2020 before being diagnosed with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder.Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily NewsletterHowever, in the years after he had made considerable progress with his mental health, giving those close to him 'no cause for concern' in the period shortly before his death. His family described him as 'beautiful' in the wake of his passing.Before he died Michael, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, had told his family he was worried about returning to work following a period of absence, reports Stoke on Trent Live. His father told the inquest: "Mike worked as an online customer service advisor for bet365."He worked night shifts, doing a week in the office and a week at home. There was nothing to suggest he was having issues with work."He would talk about how he received praise from customers. But, prior to the collision, Mike had been on a period of sickness because he was feeling ill with flu-like symptoms."He took the week off and was due to return to work on July 28. I would say that he was feeling anxious about his return to work because he would have been under an absence warning."But he appeared okay. He presented as his usual self and there was nothing to cause me concern. I also work nights. On the day of the incident, I returned home at around 3.20am. Mike was not home."This was not out of the ordinary. I thought he was still at work. I sat down to watch some TV, before I received a number of text messages. At 4.05am, I received a text and at 4.16am another text."Michael's father subsequently received a telephone call from Michael's mother informing him that a relative had received an alarming message. It stated that Michael had lost £3,000 at Grosvenor Casino, in Hanley, and that he intended to end his life.Michael's long-term girlfriend told the inquest: "While we were together, he never told me he was suffering with any mental health problems. He did tell me he had attempted an overdose when he was 19."I never suspected he was depressed and he never gave me any reason to think he was. On July 28, I went to work at around 8am and stayed until 5pm. I spoke with Michael briefly during my shift. After work, I went to his house at around 5.18pm."I asked if he was going to work that night as I knew he'd been off the week before. I think he was looking for a new job but he said he was planning on going back in that evening. I left at 5.45pm so he could shower and get ready."Michael subsequently rang his partner at 9.30pm. She continued: "He told me he was worried about work. I told him not to worry and that it would be fine. By this time, I had arrived home so we ended the call in the same way we always did, saying 'Love you bye'. We continued to text until around 11pm."I didn't think anything was out of the ordinary when I went to sleep. I was woken at 5am after his dad text me to ask if Michael was with me. I told him that he wasn't. I checked Snapchat and saw that at 4.16am he had left a message."Snapchat data revealed that Michael had been at Porthill roundabout near the A500 at approximately 4.50am. Prior to making his way to the bridge, Michael had reached out to a friend and bet365 workmate.The friend also had no significant concerns regarding Michael's state of mind. He told the inquest: "On July 29, I was at work when I started receiving text messages from Michael at around 12.48am. He asked what I was doing."I sensed something was off. I offered to meet him after work for a pint. He agreed, saying he definitely needed one."I got to the casino at around 2.11am and Michael was already there. I didn't gamble but Michael did. He was up at one point, but later reached his gambling limit. He transferred me £200 so I could withdraw the funds to allow him to carry on gambling."Once he'd finished, we left the casino and he gave me a lift home in his car. Michael appeared upbeat and was talking about the plans he had with his girlfriend. They wanted to start a family."He dropped me off home at around 3.45am. At around 4.05am, I received messages from Michael. I asked if he was okay and tried to reason with him. Later that day, I heard that he had died."Sergeant Roger Whetton, forensic collision investigator at Staffordshire Police, informed the inquest that Michael lost his life after being struck by an HGV. A toxicology report established that Michael had alcohol and cocaine in his system at the time of his death.His cause of death was recorded as multiple injuries sustained as a result of a road traffic collision. Coroner Li Hammer-Naylor recorded Michael's death as suicide.She concluded: "Suicide must never be presumed. It must be proved that the deceased took their own life and that they intended to do so. On the balance of probabilities, I find that there is evidence that Michael intended to take his own life."There is direct evidence of intention through the messages he sent to his family, friends and partner. His actions also appeared to be deliberate and directed."Help and supportSamaritans (116 123) samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org, write to Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS (no more information needed) and visit www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.For support for people feeling suicidal, if you are concerned about someone or if you are bereaved by suicide see http://shiningalightonsuicide.org.ukCALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalmzone.net has a helpline is for men who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support. They're open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year.Greater Manchester Bereavement Service Greater Manchester Bereavement Service can help to find support for anyone in Greater Manchester that has been bereaved or affected by a death. No one needs to feel alone as they deal with their grief. www.greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.ukChildline (0800 1111 ) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.Beat Eating Disorders: Beat provides helplines for adults and young people offering support and information about eating disorders. These helplines are free to call from all phones. Adult Helpline: 0808 801 0677, Studentline: 0808 801 0811, Youthline: 0808 801 0711. www.beateatingdisorders.org.ukAnorexia & Bulimia Care: ABC provide on-going care, emotional support and practical guidance for anyone affected by eating disorders, those struggling personally and parents, families and friends. Helpline: 03000 11 12 13. www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk/Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying studentsagainstdepression.orgFor information and links to charities and organisations that can help with substance abuse, visit https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/drugs/
