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'Gentle giant' died after medication withdrawn, inquest told
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- James Snowden, a 21-year-old rugby player and strongman described as a "gentle giant," had his prescription for the antipsychotic drug sulpiride withdrawn weeks before his death in December 2024.
- Snowden, who struggled with suicidal thoughts from childhood and experienced auditory hallucinations linked to his autism, had been under the care of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust at the time of his death.
- His mother testified that James had multiple suicide attempts since age 11 and that the withdrawal of sulpiride was misunderstood by James, who believed the medication had stopped entirely despite being prescribed another antipsychotic, aripiprazole.
- In the weeks before his death, Snowden faced several personal setbacks, including a sporting injury, the death of a close friend, and the unexpected loss of his pet dog, which contributed to his emotional distress.
- The inquest revealed a breakdown of trust between Snowden, his family, and his mental health care providers, compounded by his distrust of authority and difficulties with sleep and mental health management.
