Rugby club’s triple tragedy after death of third player in his early 20s
ALEADING Welsh rugby club is coming to terms with the death of a third young player in just two years.
Monmouth RFC wing Jacob Picken, 23, who only made his first team debut last month, was found dead in the Kymin area of the town late last week.
His “heartbroken” family have paid tribute to the young man and have called for “open and honest dialogue” around mental health issues.
He is the third player from the National League Division One East side to have lost his life in two years.
In February 2018 another of the club’s young rugby talent, 22-yearold medical student Ted Senior took his own life.
It led to a call from close friend, Wales star Hallam Amos, for a big mental health drive to help vulnerable people.
And in August that year promising first team scrum-half Max Davies tragically passed away at the age of 22.
A spokesman for the rugby club said at the time: “Max had been suffering with depression for some time, which ultimately got the better our first game back. The clubhouse is there for the boys.
“Jacob was more than just a player as he also worked behind the bar in the clubhouse.
“He’s been a massive help to the bar manager and will be sorely missed in all quarters.”
Jacob was last seen on Wednesday night after leaving his mum’s house and a huge search involving family, friends and authorities had been under way to try to find him.
In a moving tribute from Jacob’s family, posted on the Gwent Police Facebook page, they said they hope the loss of their ‘gentlest soul’ can ‘lead to positive change in the approach to mental health issues.’
They wrote: “Jacob only ever really knew how to express love and kindness. Our hearts are broken.
“Jacob was all we could ever ask for in a son and we are so grateful to him for giving us the most wonderful 23 years.
“Our great sorrow that we have lost our eldest son is tempered by the thought that he will guide us through our future days.
“We wish to thank so many wellwishers for their overwhelming kindness. Thank you for being such wonderful friends to us in our time of great need.
“The community in the town, Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools, Monmouth Comprehensive School, Osbaston School and Monmouth Rugby Club are all rallying around.
“We need you all to look after each other, with your friends and families wherever you are right now. “Our thanks to Gwent Police and the emergency services in all they have done in the past few days. “We want Jacob’s passing not to have been in vain and we are keen that this should lead to positive change in the way that we all approach mental health issues. For that reason, we want to open honest dialogue regarding what we all need to do to help our children in the future. Jacob has given us this opportunity and we intend to take it.”
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