THE teen son of a Cambridge academic died at his Manchester University halls after students were put on coronavirus lockdown. Finn Kitson, 19, had been suffering from “severe anxiety” before he was found dead at his uni’s Fallowfield campus in South Manchester. Police are not treating the promising footballer’s death as suspicious. The University of […]
THE teen son of a Cambridge academic died at his Manchester University halls after students were put on coronavirus lockdown.
Finn Kitson, 19, had been suffering from “severe anxiety” before he was found dead at his uni’s Fallowfield campus in South Manchester.
Police are not treating the promising footballer’s death as suspicious.
The University of Manchester, where there have been more than 1,000 cases in the last four weeks alone, shifted to online learning earlier this month.
Finn’s dad Michael Kitson has slammed the “little support” students get when they are made to live under strict lockdown conditions.
He referred to a now-deleted post to an online article which had tweeted the university’s claims the student’s death was not Covid-19 related.
On Twitter, the economist at Cambridge University’s business school, said: “This is untrue.
“If you lockdown young people because of Covid-19 with little support, then you should expect that they suffer severe anxiety.
“The student referred to below is our son – and we love and miss him so much.”
If you lockdown young people because of Covid-19 with little support, then you should expect that they suffer severe anxiety.
Michael Kitson
Sister Beth Kitson, a PhD student at Oxford, paid tribute, saying on Twitter: “My wonderful kind and darling brother.
“He is and will always be so loved.”
A former Cambridge City FC youth player, Mr Kitson’s teammates held a one minute silence in tribute at their ground.
In response, Mr Kitson’s dad said: “Thank you so much from all our family. Great respect and class from both teams and both sets of supporters.”
My wonderful kind darling brother. He is and will always be so loved.
Beth Kitson
When approached today for comment, a family friend said: “The family have no further comments to make at this time.”
Dr Simon Merrywest, director for the student experience at the University of Manchester, said: “We can confirm that very sadly one of our students was found deceased in their hall of residence at around 5pm on Thursday, October 8.
“We are providing all possible support to their family and friends and our utmost sympathies go out to them.
“The family have asked us to make it clear that this incident is not Covid-19-related and that they would wish to see their privacy respected at this difficult time.
“The university is working closely with the Manchester’s Coroner’s Office, so we will not be able to comment any further.”
Greater Manchester Police said it was called to the halls after reports to check on a man’s welfare.
A spokerperson added: “Emergency services attended and a 19-year-old man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“There are believed to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.”
In a statement, the family said: “The family have no further comments to make at this time.”
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
