Valentino Mujic, a 27-year-old man, was found unresponsive near Cadbury Drive on February 26 and died at Heartlands Hospital on March 5, an inquest at Birmingham Coroner's Court heard. He had told police and hospital staff 'I'm not safe outside' and expressed suicidal thoughts, but was not deemed at risk.
Family's Pleas for Help
Mr Mujic's family 'begged' police and hospital staff to help him, but he was repeatedly turned away. His aunt, Sema, told BirminghamLive: 'He didn't want to come to his family but he trusted police and the doctors, but they didn't offer help. They were just saying to him 'go to this address, go to another address' - until he did this to himself.'
She added: 'We said to the police 'he is not well', that he needs to go to the mental health hospital. We begged the police, we told them either he is going to do something to himself, or someone else, either way it's not good.'
Inquest Findings
Area Coroner Adam Hodson ruled Mr Mujic's death as suicide, with the cause being hypoxic brain injury. He stated that the death was neither caused nor contributed to by police or the hospital. However, he noted 'slight evidence of avoidability' related to Mr Mujic's homelessness and lack of a contact number, but said there was 'nothing causative'.
The court heard that Mr Mujic, born in Holland and living in Bordesley Green, had been made homeless and was 'sleeping in garages' days before his death. He had a history of mental ill health and was taking anti-depressants for anxiety and low mood stemming from a historic assault in France.
Hospital Encounters
On February 20, Mr Mujic arrived at Heartlands Hospital via ambulance and told staff he wanted to be admitted because he wanted to feel safe. He said he wanted to 'stand in the middle of the road and get run over.' He was told to go to his GP and was taken to a mental health walk-in centre.
His GP, Dr Ahmed, testified: 'He had been evicted from his accommodation, didn't want to go back there... He reported having suicidal thoughts but didn't have any intention or any plan to do so - no clear signs of severe mental illness. It all appeared it was due to his housing situation.'
Mr Mujic was given options for housing organizations but had no working phone and said he would return later. He was booked for a follow-up on February 27, but by then he was already critically ill.
Police Custody
Days before his death, Mr Mujic spent time in police custody, where he again asked to be admitted to hospital. Police did not deem him at risk to himself or others and released him.
Coroner Hodson told the family: 'I'm so sorry that you lost him in these very awful, tragic circumstances. I accept that you were doing everything you can to help him. If I offer any advice it would be to look after and take care of yourselves.'
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