‘So-called experts fuelled his beliefs’

DAD’S WARNING AFTER SUICIDE OF SON ‘OBSESSED’ WITH HIS DIET

THE father of a university student who took his own life at a railway station said social media, the internet and self-styled online experts all ‘fuelled’ his son’s psychosis.

William Mathews, 22, from Gatley, Stockport, developed a ‘fixation’ with his diet and food and ate mashed-up greens and fruits.

An inquest into his death heard he didn’t believe he needed protein, complained about ‘mucuses and bacteria’ and wrongly thought he had health problems involving his bones.

William believed what he read on the internet, and in certain textbooks, and accessed dietary information through US websites, the inquest heard.

Speaking after a coroner recorded a conclusion of suicide after a three-day inquest, his father Christopher Mathews said strangers and ‘food gurus’ his son exchanged messages with online ‘reinforced his thoughts and fuelled this obsession.’

Mr Mathews said: “His illness – his psychosis – could have been about anything. It just happened to be food and his diet.

“William was very mentally ill for quite a long period of time and suffered from psychosis.

“One of the things that fuelled his psychosis was his involvement in social media and the internet.

“There were people out there who would fuel his obsession with his health and his diet, when all the hospital tests we did came back negative.

“He somehow tracked down individuals who fuelled this obsession. They reinforced his beliefs which were psychotic beliefs.

“These people were strangers to him. They were based in Australia and the US. They claimed to be food gurus and represented themselves as food gurus. He would exchange messages with them.”

Mr Mathews paid touching tribute to his son and also issued a general warning over internet and social media use.

“People should be very cautious,” he said. “This went on for a long period of time and it is very difficult to police. So-called experts fuelled his beliefs. They reinforced his thoughts – which were his psychosis. William had a loving and caring character. He was very popular and had lots of friends. He never made enemies.

“He touched people with his personality wherever he went, but these sorts of thing can sadly happen to the very best of people.”

William, who was studying at Manchester Metropolitan University, was found dead near Levenshulme railway station on October 8, 2017.

The inquest heard William was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in February 2017. He was admitted to the specialist Norbury Ward at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport on September 29, 2017, where he was granted four hours of daily, unescorted leave.

Coroner Zak Golombeck ruled William hadn’t expressed suicidal intent or planning during his admission on the Norbury Ward.

The inquest heard William was hit by a train. British Transport Police investigated and found notes when they analysed his laptop.

Mr Mathews added: “His friends have been a real rock to the family.” He added: “William was very much loved and will not be forgotten.”