Dad slams 'poor' Stoke-on-Trent mental health services after death of son, 30

The father of Tobias Boughey, 30, criticized what he called “poor” mental health services after the scaffolder was found dead at his home in Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, on May 29. An inquest heard Tobias had severe depression and anxiety and struggled with alcohol misuse, which worsened after he witnessed his grandfather’s death in 2017. Family accounts described him declining to join a holiday in Anglesey and refusing to be contacted shortly before his death. When he was found at the bottom of the stairs, a police officer said the address had many cider cans and white powder was discovered on a plate, along with a rolled banknote. Toxicology showed high, non-fatal cocaine levels, and a pathologist concluded he died from a cocaine-induced heart attack. His mother also raised possible hereditary heart disease after relatives had genetic cardiomyopathy.