Tragic Loss of a Young Life
A tragic incident unfolded when 18-year-old Keiron Mullins Bunn took his own life after falling victim to financial scammers, as revealed during an inquest. The young man had been working at McDonald’s as usual on that fateful day in February last year, leaving his workplace around 11 PM.
During the inquest held at Middlesbrough Town Hall, assistant coroner Benjamin Haigh shared insights from Keiron’s colleagues, who described him as his typical “funny, chatty self” prior to his untimely death. However, in a heartbreaking turn of events, Keiron sent a group message to his friends, indicating he was struggling.
Shortly after this message, Keiron was discovered in a nearby woodland. Investigators found messages on his phone that indicated he had fallen prey to a financial scam, resulting in a significant loss of money. Mr. Haigh poignantly remarked on the emotional impact these messages had on Keiron, stating, “It is very poignant as to how these messages had made him feel.”
Keiron was a passionate individual with aspirations of owning his own garage one day. He was remembered by his family as an “amazing young man” who was caring, funny, and kind-hearted. They shared, “He loved the outdoors, enjoyed mountain biking, watersports, and taking walks with the family’s two dogs. Like many young people, he appreciated a good night out but was never involved in any trouble.”
In light of the circumstances surrounding his death, the assistant coroner recorded a verdict of suicide.
You’re Not Alone
Every 90 minutes in the UK, a life is lost to suicide, affecting individuals from all walks of life—spanning the homeless, unemployed, builders, doctors, reality stars, and footballers. It remains the leading cause of death among people under the age of 35, surpassing even cancer and car crashes in its fatality rate. Alarmingly, men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Despite its prevalence, suicide is rarely discussed openly—a taboo that perpetuates its devastating impact unless we collectively take action. This is why The Sun has initiated the “You’re Not Alone” campaign. Our goal is to share practical advice, raise awareness, and dismantle the barriers to discussing mental health. Together, we can play a vital role in saving lives. Let’s commit to asking for help when we need it and being attentive to those around us.
You’re Not Alone. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, the following organizations offer support:
- CALM: www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together: www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN: www.wearehumen.org
- Mind: www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus: www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans: www.samaritans.org, 116 123
Keiron Mullins Bunn, 18, took his own life after losing money to scammers.
