Troubled footballer took his own life, inquest told
AYOUNG footballer posted a heartbreaking final message to his friends and family before taking his own life, an inquest has heard.
In the early hours of the morning talented footballer Brendon Martin Rudge – also known as Brendon Holder wrote his final words on Facebook before posting a picture of himself as a baby with his mother, who died of cancer four years ago.
The post said: “Sorry for anyone I hurt. Please don’t think I’m selfish. I wasn’t the best of sons and friend. I am sorry see you all soon... Sorry for who I hurt. Bye guys.”
The 24-year-old was found shortly after in the early hours of Saturday, August 4.
An inquest into his death heard how tributes poured in on social media after his death, with his brother describing him as a “dedicated and loving brother that was brave and adventurous”.
Yesterday’s hearing in Milford Haven’s town hall heard that Mr Rudge was born in Gloucester before moving to Wales and was the youngest of three brothers.
Coroner’s officer Jeremy Davies told the inquest that, after going to college in Llanelli, Mr Rudge worked for a haulage company in Burry Port and met his girlfriend in 2016 while working as an insurance broker.
The inquest heard that, prior to his death, Mr Rudge was having financial problems due to not being paid for some work he had carried out and, while he enjoyed playing football for the Carmarthen Stars, a knee injury meant he couldn’t progress his sporting career and play professionally.
Coroner officer Jeremy Davies said: “His mother passed away from cancer four years ago and he found it very hard.
“He had struggled with depression and wanted to seek help.”
Mr Rudge and his girlfriend were also having problems, Mr Davies told the inquest, but they were trying to work things out between them.
On the night of Saturday, August 4, his girlfriend was not at home when she received a phone call from a friend asking if she was with Mr Rudge as he was worried after seeing what he had posted on Facebook.
The inquest heard that, when they arrived to the property in Thomas Street, they found the door was unlocked and found Mr Rudge hanged.
An ambulance was called at 12.45am and ambulance staff carried out CPR on Mr Rudge but he was pronounced dead shortly after.
A post-mortem report found alcohol, cannabis and cocaine in Mr Rudge’s system, but the report found the death was caused by natural causes due to hanging.
At the time of his death, Mr Rudge’s brother Jamie paid tribute by saying that he was a “dedicated and loving brother that was brave and adventurous”.
He added: “Brendon touched the lives of many and he will be dearly missed by everyone.”
Tributes also poured in on social media since news of his death was confirmed.
One friend said Mr Holder “dazzled people with his looks, his skills and more importantly his personality”.
Another called the news “unbelievably tragic”, while one person said on social media: “If only you knew how many people cared and loved you. I’m going to miss that cheeky smile every day.”
Mr Rudge played football for Carmarthen Stars, who cancelled two games scheduled for the weekend after hearing of his death.
They posted the following message on Facebook: “Devastated to lose such a really nice guy and a talented player who scored a number of goals for the club and helped the seconds with promotion. Both firsts and seconds games were called off today. Thoughts are with all those who are close to him. You will be missed by all at the club. Brendon Holder RIP.”
A football tournament was held in his memory in August, and it is hoped it will take place every year.
Recording a verdict of suicide, senior coroner for Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Mark Layton said Mr Rudge had a number of personal issues that were troubling him.
He said Mr Rudge was also affected by his mother’s death and took steps to end his life.
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