Haunted by his suicide, one family decided to go on a five-week hike through Evelyn von Einsiedel’s favourite places in an attempt to finally face the effect his death had on them all…
Suicide is the leading cause of death among British men aged 20-49. Last year, 6,507 suicides were recorded in the UK. Fifteen years ago, on 2 September 2004, a 22-year-old boy killed himself in the garden of his family home in London. It left a void that, his oldest brother Orlando explains, ‘can never been filled’.
Evelyn battled mental illness ever since leaving school but his devastating decision left scars on both family and friends. In an attempt to heal, the oldest brother took his family on a five-week ‘walk and talk’, making a documentary of the journey, called simply
Evelyn…
at 18 – the age schizophrenia usually manifests itself in boys.’
He pauses, then adds with searing honesty: ‘ We have a history of male suicide in my family – unfortunately… and, um, when Evelyn became ill it was my increasing worry that this would be the outcome.’
Evelyn spent some time in the Maudsley hospital in South London. ‘The doctors didn’t think he was suicidal…’
Now a 30-year-old artist, Robin had been at school when the tragedy happened and was driven home by a teacher.
‘I remember the ambulance and police outside the house,’ he says softly. Since then, he dreams often of his brother: ‘It’s a strange repetitive dialogue. I say: “You’re back! E, it’s so great to see you – where have you been? Don’t go, please stay…”
‘He just says “Oh you know…” Then I wake up – and he’s gone...’
Leon was Evelyn’s best friend.