'Gifted musician', 22, took own life on A19 after battling mental health challenges - inquest

Lucien Guest, who died on Sunday morning following a collision on the A19, near Murton
-Credit:Durham Constabulary


An inquest has heard about the tragic loss of a "gifted musician" who took his own life on the A19 last September.

Lucien Guest, 22, died on September 29, 2024, after falling from the Dalton Park bridge and being struck by a vehicle on the northbound carriageway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hailing from Murton, Lucien had been battling with mental health challenges for over three years. He had begun his music studies at Birmingham University in 2019 but left the course as the Covid-19 pandemic severely affected his mental wellbeing, forcing him to return home to the North East.

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Mum's heartbreak after son, 21, died in crash on way to show her himself riding motorbike

READ MORE: Teen who threw loaded sock at police during Middlesbrough riots weeps as he is locked up

Lucien entered into a long-term relationship and lived with his partner; however, their relationship deteriorated in the months leading up to his death. He had been on antidepressants but decided to change medications—with his GP's support—a week prior to his death due to the lack of benefits from his current medicine.

Simon Connolly, assistant coroner at Crook Coroner's Court in County Durham, determined that Lucien's death was by suicide. His parents, Kevin and Suzanne Guest, expressed during the inquest that they did not hold any blame towards the driver of the vehicle which hit Lucien, reports Chronicle Live.

Detective Sergeant Michael Hogg, a lead investigator at Durham Constabulary's specialist road traffic investigations unit, informed the court that the driver was not at fault and wouldn't have been able to see Lucien prior to his fall from the bridge. Det Sgt Hogg asserted there was nothing the driver could have done to prevent hitting Lucien and pointed out there were no issues with his vehicle.

ADVERTISEMENT

The post-mortem examination results, presented in court, revealed Lucien suffered traumatic brain injury including fractures, though it was unclear if these were sustained during the fall or upon being struck by the van.

Lucien's mother Suzanne delivered a heartfelt tribute via a statement that the coroner read out in court, stating: "You tell me that Lucien was born on Saturday April 6, 2002 at University Hospital of North Durham. He was a happy baby and growing up he was unique, very cheerful, and one of a kind. He was a loving brother and a cherished son and grandson."

Suzanne recounted Lucien's somewhat introverted nature, his love for playing video games, and his passion for the trumpet - an interest sparked by his grandparents. Lucien began playing at nine and later pursued a university degree in music at Birmingham University, notching a distinction in his first year.

Reading Suzanne's statement, the coroner shared: "You describe him as a naturally gifted musician who spent a lot of time playing the trumpet. But in 2020 as he began the second year of his studies, that was when Covid hit. And this also coincided with Lucien struggling with his mental health."

The coroner continued to read from Suzanne's statement, explaining how the isolation had a severe impact on Lucien: "He went from playing the trumpet in a group with like minded friends to being stuck in his room. Unfortunately Lucien soon lost his passion for music and left university.

ADVERTISEMENT

"In 2021 he returned to the North East and he struck up a relationship with a girl he had met, and they moved in together in 2022. Eventually settling in Murton. You say that while early on, the relationship between them was good, it did sadly deteriorate and with that alongside it Lucien's confidence and self-worth deteriorated, as did his mental health."

The relationship ended around three months before Lucien's death. Suzanne recalled the devastating impact of Lucien's death on the family, which occurred just hours after she had been texting him.

She said: "Lucien's passing has broken all of our family's hearts and he will be forever missed."

In a poignant moment in court, Lucien's mother expressed: "The only thing would be to state from our point of view that we bear no blame at all towards the driver. We don't hold any blame for the driver, and if anything we have our sympathies for them as they may be struggling with [the consequences] of Lucien's decision."

Assistant coroner Simon Connolly reflected on Lucien's life during his findings. He stated: "I find Lucien was a 22-year-old male who was a loving son, brother and grandson and a naturally gifted musician. In 2020 during the second year of his studies Lucien began to struggle with his mental health.

ADVERTISEMENT

"This resulted in him abandoning his studies and returning to the North East. His struggles included a previous near-suicide where his sister had to talk him down from a bridge. His struggles with his mental health continued and resulted in him seeking support for his mental health from April 2023, and from February 2024 he had been taking medication.

"In the months prior to his death he experienced the breakdown of a relatively long-term relationship which had a significant impact on him."

The coroner said Lucien suffered fatal injuries and found his death was due to suicide.

At the time of Lucien's death, his family released a moving statement in which they said: "Lucien, our dearly loved son, brother, grandson and cherished family member whose young life at the age of twenty-two was tragically cut short.

"You were so so loved. Lucien's fun, loving nature endeared him to those who knew him as a child and as the beautiful, sensitive young man he became.

"He will be loved and missed by the whole family and by those whose lives he touched. Memories of life with Lucien will be treasured for the rest of our lives. Rest in peace sweetheart. Here's hoping all your sorrows are now gone and you can fly free."

For breaking news in your area direct to your inbox every day, go here to sign up to our free newsletter