Jessica Huggard cherishes a picture taken with her little brother Luke in 2015 Melbourne airport as this would be the last time the siblings would see each other.
Two years later, Mr. Haggard, then 32, is He is believed to have taken his own life in April, 2017 at The Gap, a notorious suicide spot in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
His body has never been found and there has been no investigation into his death so he has not been declared legally dead and his family cannot bid him a proper farewell with the last rites.
About six years after his death, his sister petition To obtain an inquest date and death certificate from the NSW Coroner’s Court.
Ms Haggard said, ‘He deserves better.’
Luke Haggard (left) and his sister Jessica are pictured at Melbourne airport in 2015 before boarding a flight to Sydney. he never saw her again
‘My brother went in and lit a room. He could talk to anyone. He was full of life and full of laughter.
a lovely brother
Luke Haggard grew up in Melbourne where he earned an Arts degree and then studied journalism as a postgraduate.
‘that was amazing. My brother was a really charismatic, six-foot (183 cm), very gay man and he grew up in a world that didn’t accept him,’ said his sister Jessica.
In 2015, he moved to Sydney to study law and found a home in the city’s gay scene.
Luke Haggard portrayed as a young man
But Mr. Haggard, who had long struggled with mental illness, began using drugs.
At the time of her disappearance, her sister said she had been clean for some time, but was taking prescription medication.
They believe he was in a withdrawal-induced psychosis when he took his own life.
‘Two weeks before he died, he had a job, he’d bought animals again, he had his own apartment. He was functioning, he was clean and happy,’ Ms Huggard said.
She said, ‘He had this laugh… It was very loud and it was a big belly laugh.’ 7news,
Three days before he was last seen alive, Mr. Haggard was arrested by the police on the spot while attempting to take his life.
He was later taken to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick and admitted to an acute mental health unit as an involuntary patient.
A report by NSW Health and received by the family said Mr Haggard was suicidal, experiencing delusions and withdrawing from drug use.
‘He was experiencing anxiety and restlessness that was felt in the context of amphetamine withdrawal,’ the report said.
Mr Haggard was reviewed by a psychiatrist on 4 April and was discharged as he was no longer experiencing delusional thoughts and suicidal thoughts.
She was referred to see a GP but did not turn up. The hospital staff were the last people to see him alive.
That evening, CCTV captured someone matching Mr Haggard’s description taking his own life in The Gap.
The next day one of his friends lodged a missing report.
On 17 April, nearly two weeks after his disappearance, the police contacted the hospital to report his suspicious death, although they had no body.
Despite this, Mr Haggard remains on the Australian Federal Police’s missing list six years later.
After a police investigation, which concluded that he was probably dead, his case was referred to the coroner. In 2018.
The family has heard little since then and wants Answers about why she was discharged from the hospital on her own and why the family was not told when she was admitted to the mental health unit.
Ms Haggard said, “It’s not about blaming anyone for his death, it’s about finding out what happened over the last two days.”
She has waited long enough.
‘You have everything in writing to say that he is dead. There’s a fair amount of evidence out there,’ she said.
The family, whose trauma has been worsened by the uncertainty and waiting, wants an inquest and a death certificate so they can perform the last rites.
Ms Haggard said, “It feels like we’re being punished for something that it’s a sad situation all around.”
‘I’m just asking a coroner to take notice and stop telling me it’s going to be another six months.’
Call if you need help in a crisis lifeline at 13 11 14.
For more information about depression contact blue 1300224636 or speak to your doctor, health professional or trusted friend.
Jessica Huggard (right) is pictured with a protective arm around her brother Luke when they were children
Luke Huggard’s (pictured) body has never been found and no inquest has been held so he has not been declared legally dead and his family cannot properly send him off with a funeral