A 25-year-old man, originally from Devon and living in Western Australia, tragically ended his own life according to an inquest. Daniel Willis, born in Plymouth and raised in Tavistock, passed away near Perth in July 2024, with the inquest held in Exeter recently.
Daniel was a well-regarded football player, having represented Tavistock Community Football Club and undergoing trials with Plymouth Argyle youth academy. In response to his passing, tributes flooded in, and a charity football match is being planned to raise funds for a local mental health organization.
Having moved to Australia in 2022 and working as an engineer, Daniel was reported missing by friends before his body was found by a park ranger in the outskirts of the city. Australian authorities revealed that Daniel had been given medication for anxiety and depression days before his death, with the coroner confirming therapeutic levels of the medication in his system. Despite no prior history of mental health issues in UK medical records, the coroner ruled his death as suicide.
In memory of Daniel, his brother organized a charity football match that raised £2,000 for Mind, aiming to spark discussions about mental health. The DW Cup event will take place on May 16, supporting Man Down UK.
Carl Willis, Daniel’s brother, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about men’s mental health, urging donations and participation in the charity event on May 16. Further information about the match is available through a provided link.
For emotional support, individuals can reach out to Samaritans through their helpline, email, in-person branch visits, or their website.
