Yahoo News Tributes pour in for 'confident' dad, 35, as family thank community for support after tragic death
A family has thanked the Teesside public for their words of support and condolence after the tragic death of their loved one.
David Mackenzie's family previously shared his heartbreaking story, along with treasured tributes and memories of the 35-year-old from Middlesbrough. They described him as a "funny and confident" man, who doted on his daughter Ava, but said he had faced a long battle with mental health problems.
David died on August 25, last year. His family who had searched for days for the 35-year-old were left heartbroken when his body was found in Thorntree Cemetery.
An inquest was opened at Teesside Coroner's Court following David's death and a verdict of suicide was recorded at a hearing on Friday, September 20. The much-loved son, father, brother and uncle had suffered with mental health problems from his teenage years but did not open up to his family until he was in his 30s.
David's sister, Moira Mackenzie, 42, said following their tribute there was a huge outpouring of messages from people expressing their condolences. "It was comforting for us and it's nice to have that to show to Ava when she's older," she said.
"As a family we would like to say a massive thanks to everyone who read David's tribute and said kind words."
In the months before his death, David made other attempts to take his life, said Moira, and at one point walked to Roseberry Park Hospital from his home in North Ormesby, seeking urgent help. He had previously called the mental health crisis team but there was a waiting period before help arrived, she said, and she now hopes to set up a local charity in David's name providing support and help over the phone during that interim period.
David had a large family and lots of friends, not just in Teesside, but around the country, but his family believes he found it difficult to talk about the mental health problems that haunted him. Moira said poor mental health is a huge problem in Middlesbrough and noted that many messages she received were from others sharing their own stories about the issue.
"People really wanted to speak out about mental health which is positive as there is still a stigma around mental health," she said. "There is a misconception about what it looks like and how it comes across in the community.
"People are often frightened to speak out about it. It's so important to ask for help and I would urge anyone who is suffering to reach out for that support."
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