Ex-West Ham and Oxford United footballer Joey Beauchamp, 50, killed himself as he struggled with gambling, money and marriage breakdown after he retired, coroner rules
- Joey Beauchamp took own life while struggling with depression, inquest found
- He had several ‘stressors’ on his life including gambling problems, money worries, trouble sleeping and the breakdown of his marriage, coroner heard
- But Mr Beauchamp repeatedly turned down support from mental health services
- Help can be found by calling the Samaritans free of charge at any time, on 116 123 or by email at [email protected] or visit Samaritans.org
Joey Beauchamp took his own life while struggling with depression, an inquest found
Former Oxford United and West Ham footballer Joey Beauchamp took his own life while struggling with depression following his retirement, an inquest concluded.
Mr Beauchamp, 50, had several ‘stressors’ on his life including gambling problems, money worries, trouble sleeping and the breakdown of his marriage, but he repeatedly turned down support from mental health services, Oxford coroner’s court heard.
He was found dead at his home in Kidlington by his older brother, Luke, on February 19 this year after failing to respond to messages from his family.
Coroner Darren Salter described it as ‘a very sad case’, and recorded a verdict of suicide.
Talented winger Mr Beauchamp had joined West Ham from Oxford for £1million in 1994, but never played a game for the Hammers as he was homesick.
West Ham sold him to Oxford’s rivals Swindon for £850,000 but after 49 appearances for the Robins, Beauchamp returned to the Manor Ground.
The court heard that Mr Beauchamp had several bouts of severe mental health problems dating back as far as 2008, and was sectioned in 2020 after attempting suicide.
A friend contacted the adult mental health team in Oxford on January 12 this year to express concern over Mr Beauchamp’s wellbeing.
Dr Scott Pearson, Mr Beauchamp’s GP, said in a statement that his patient was ‘seeing his family frequently’ and he had ‘no thoughts of suicide or self-harm’ at the time.
John Kelly, a psychiatrist nurse with the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, spoke to Mr Beauchamp on January 28 to discuss his mental state following concerns from the GP, but Mr Beauchamp said he was ‘fine’ and was not suicidal.
Mr Kelly told the inquest: ‘He was quite clear he didn’t want our involvement.
Joey Beauchamp of Oxford United in action during a Division Two match, January 29, 1994
‘It is very difficult to force someone to see you if they don’t want to see you.’
He said the call ended ‘positively’.
There was no further contact between the health professionals and Mr Beauchamp.
Mr Salter said there was nothing more support services could have done ‘when faced with a patient with capacity to say they did not want to engage with them’.
Recording a conclusion of suicide, the coroner said: ‘Joey was well-known locally, but had repeated bouts of poor mental health after retiring from football.’
Members of father-of-two Mr Beauchamp’s family were present in court for the hearing.
Mr Beauchamp made 428 appearances and scored 80 goals for Oxford United during his two stints between 1987 and 2002 – leaving him 10th and fifth respectively in the club’s all-time lists – before his career was ended by a toe injury.
The winger is remembered for scoring important goals for the club, including one in a win at Tranmere Rovers which saved Oxford from relegation in 1992, as well as in his final appearance against Exeter United.
- Help can be found by calling the Samaritans free of charge at any time, on 116 123 or by email at [email protected] or visit Samaritans.org.
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