WILL Young today arrived at the inquest of his twin brother who fell to his death following a tragic struggle with depression.
Rupert Young, 41, jumped from a bridge in central London having battled with his mental health and addiction for years, a previous hearing was told.
Last month, Will, 42, told a one day hearing at Poplar Coroner's Court he believed loneliness could have triggered his twin's depression, describing him as "someone that so desperately needed help".
Will, who was thrust into the spotlight after winning Pop Idol in 2002, was seen arriving at St Pancras Coroner's Court in London, this morning, as the inquest into his brother's death continues.
The singer described himself as Rupert's carer at last month's hearing before it "became too much" and he left the room when the Coroner read heartbreaking evidence of the day his brother died.
'BECAME TOO MUCH'
Will also said he believed his brother was triggered by the death of his dog, the breakdown of his relationship and by the pandemic when he was unable to access animals.
Speaking at the first day of the inquest in December last year, Will said: "I was a carer for him, but it became too much.
"He could not look after himself and I did not believe he could look after his own life.
"I feel it is difficult for me. I am someone who is pretty in control over my emotional well-being.
"I am a functional adult. I have done a lot of work on myself."
The Young family's barrister said Rupert had managed to discharge himself from hospital, and that the family have concerns over systemic failings in his care.
He could not look after himself and I did not believe he could look after his own life."
However, hospital bosses deny any failings and say Rupert absconded.
The Coroner heard Rupert had an ongoing problem with alcohol which improved when he was around animals, dogs and horses in particular.
A toxicologist report showed he had alcohol in his system at the time of his death of which medical cause was given as immersion.
For decades, Rupert battled with his mental health, including depression and PTSD, and made many suicide threats and attempts, the inquest heard.
Will added: "Rupert struggled with depression and anxiety, I would say for 20 years.
"Over that time, more times than I can think of, there have been suicide attempts or suicide ideation.
TRAGEDY
"Most of the time if it was threatening to jump off my roof, threatening to jump off a bridge, having a noose around his neck, having a knife – it would be a cry for help.
"There were few times actually that he had gone full, full, full through with it."
Around a week before the tragedy, Will reported his brother to the police as a trespasser and Rupert was removed from the house.
He had lived with Will on and off for three years and had no other support system or friends, it was said.
Will also asked hospital staff to cut communication ties with his brother during his recovery.
He added: "I was not then there. For my own protection, for my own well-being, emotional well-being, I stayed around the corner and rang the police.
"I reported him as a trespasser."
Will recalled there were few occasions when his twin brother went through with threats to jump off a bridge and that help was almost always there.
He said his brother would jump but there would be a "police boat" there already.
Will added: "He would jump but there would be a boat there already so it would be more about making the hullabaloo.
"I can think of about five times that he really got to the state of it being really life threatening and maybe only two of those times when no one was there."
In the three weeks leading up to his death, Rupert had been drinking up to 30 cans of beer per day, the inquest heard.
He had also broken up with his girlfriend, was removed from his brother's house and did not have any friends to support him, it was said.
The inquest continues.
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
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