20-year-old Rugby Player Killed himself Three Months After he Left University to Live at Home with his Parents Due to Coronavirus Lockdown

Haseen was found dead by a walker shortly after he left his parents home in High Wycombe in June. His death has been ruled a suicide

A gifted rugby player tragically killed himself after returning home during lockdown from his university freshers year, a coroner has heard.

Sports fanatic Haseen Hashim, 20, was awarded a prestigious scholarship to Brunel University but he declined it to attend Cardiff Metropolitan University in September 2019, in order to play more of the sport he loved.

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Haseen’s parents told the inquest that he was ‘doing very well’ when he left for university after the Christmas break in January, and he often came home to play rugby games for Oxfordshire County.

However his father, Suleman Hashim, explained: ‘When Covid happened, I collected him from university on March 29 and he stayed at home. He was his usual self, he was playing games all night and would sleep all day but I told him to do some work which he did.

‘The night before his death, we watched Match of the Day and went to bed at approximately 2am, that was the last time I saw him alive. As far as I am aware, he did not suffer from depression, I do not know why my son died.’

Mother-of-one Elizabeth Mayhew had been walking her one-year-old daughter to nursery when she spotted the young man’s lifeless body hidden in the trees on June 29 this year.

‘I walked up the footpath as it was the scenic route. This was the first time I had walked this way when I saw a young black man tucked away.

‘I was concerned he was taking drugs so I was about to turn back when I thought there was an odd thing about the way he was standing so still. I took a closer look and realised he was hanging.

‘For a few years I have been struggling with depression, there were times when I thought about taking my own life. I can only feel empathy towards the man,’ she said.

Haseen, of Desborough Avenue, High Wycombe, Bucks., had left a black Armour backpack behind with his learner driving licence, a photocopy of his passport and his leave to remain in the UK.

The court heard how the sport performance analysis student had no drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of his death and the cause was hanging.

Sitting at Buckinghamshire Coroners Court in Beacinsfield, assistant coroner Ian Wade QC said: ‘Why Haseen died is a complete mystery to me and I dare say, to his family. He was a young man on the threshold of what looked like a very full and successful life.

‘He was a gifted rugby player and plainly intelligent having won a place at a prestigious university, a man who had everything to live for.

‘Whether or not he felt he let himself down as a young student in the excitement of university, what he was worried about I cannot say. In the exuberance of youth he used his rent money but who has not done that?

‘On June 29 he was seen in the early morning by a man walking his dog and shortly after he was discovered hanging from a tree in High Wycombe. He had taken the precaution of making his identity not a mystery.’

The court also heard that Haseen suffered some money troubles, and it was revealed he had spent much of the money his parents had given him for rent on socialising.

While at home over Christmas, his parents received a letter from his University Halls demanding they pay his accommodation fees.

Sitting at the inquest, his father, Suleman said: ‘I had already given Haseen the money for his rent and he explained he had spent the money on socialising and clothes, which I later saw from his bank statement.

‘Haseen was upset, we gave him financial guidance and in January he went back to university.’

The assistant coroner concluded a verdict of suicide.

In a tribute, his rugby club wrote: ‘The club was very saddened to hear that Ealing Trailfinders Academy and, more recently, Ealing Trailfinders 1871 player, Haseen Hashim passed away on June 29. The club extends its deepest condolences to Haseen’s family.’

Friend John Ronane said: ‘The devastating loss of a talented young man and gifted young athlete, will leave a void in many lives.

‘Despite the vastness of the world-wide rugby family, even the loss of one player is significant and emphasises the importance the values of friendship and kindness that transcend the great game. Rest in Peace Haseen.’

SOURCE: Daily Mail, William Cole