A coroner's found mental health care failures, in the lead up to a young man's suicide in a Christchurch park
A coroner's found mental health care failures, in the lead up to a young man's suicide in a Christchurch park
2 February 2026
Open Justice reports 21-year-old Liam Booth took his life in October 2017, after struggling with issues such as behavioural difficulties, and poor self-belief.
He'd been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder at 12, and polysubstance abuse at 20.
He was unable to stay in hospital after a suicide threat less than three weeks before his death, because he'd been assessed as low to no risk.
Coroner Bruce Hesketh is recommending family be more included in discharge planning, and better support information be provided - but acknowledges recent system improvements.
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