‘Much-loved son’ died during trip to Vietnam
A “MUCH-LOVED son and brother” died after falling from a balcony in Vietnam after suffering with severe social anxiety for some time, an inquest heard.
Gethin Roberts, 31, from Bonvilston, Vale of Glamorgan, was found unconscious on May 8, 2020, at a hotel in Da Nang city in Vietnam after spending the preceding three months travelling the country on a motorbike.
An inquest at Pontypridd Coroners’ Court yesterday heard there was no evidence of any third-party involvement in his death and it was agreed he had jumped from his hotel.
Assistant coroner Rachel Knight told the hearing a note was found in his hotel room which he had booked for one night the day before his death.
A note was also found on Mr Roberts’ phone for his family which outlined his intention and expressed his love for them.
Reading a statement following the inquest, Mr Roberts’ father John Roberts said: “I would just like to say that the family are devastated to lose a much-loved son and brother who was loved by all his friends and all who knew him.
“Despite his anxiety he had many successes through his life, including a first-class honours degree which we are very proud of.
“Sadly mental health and suicide result in too many lives lost. We would urge anyone struggling to reach out to family and friends and seek support.”
The court heard Mr Roberts, who was born in Haverfordwest and was unemployed at the time of his death, had suffered with severe social anxiety for some time.
Coroner Ms Knight told the inquest that prior to his trip to Vietnam Mr Roberts was living in Manchester and worked as a supermarket delivery driver in the summer of 2019.
While living in Manchester that summer Mr Roberts sought help from his GP and expressed he had been feeling anxious and had a low mood.
In a letter from his GP read to the court Mr Roberts was described as having been diagnosed with severe social anxiety and low self-esteem.
He was referred to psychiatrist Dr Howard Waring and was offered cognitive behaviour therapy in September to help with his anxiety. It was noted there were no suicidal thoughts and intention and that it was clear Mr Roberts had a supportive family network.
Mr Roberts decided not to go ahead with the therapy but Dr Waring was later contacted by Mr Roberts’ father to express that his son was developing paranoia.
In a letter from Dr Waring read to the court he described how he saw Gethin Roberts on January 30 and his symptoms had progressed, showing signs of paranoia and early developments of psychosis. Dr Waring said Mr Roberts was looking forward to a trip he booked to Vietnam.
Mr Roberts was seen by Dr Waring again on February 12 and was advised to delay his trip in order to start treatment. He said Mr Roberts showed no intention of self-harm.
Mr Roberts’ family also tried to persuade him to delay his trip so he could start treatment and also expressed their concern about the growing coronavirus situation at the time.
Dr Waring said it was decided his case did not meet the requirements of the Mental Health Act which would block his travel abroad.
Mr Roberts returned to the Vale of Glamorgan before his trip and he flew to Vietnam on February 19 and spent the next three months travelling the country on a hired motorbike. He was found unconscious and pronounced dead on May 8.
A post-mortem examination was carried out on Mr Roberts’ body in both Vietnam and the UK once his body was repatriated and found there were no drugs in his system and a small amount of alcohol. He had suffered multiple injuries and external bruising. The cause of death was listed as multiple traumas. Coroner Ms Knight recorded a conclusion of death by suicide.
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