Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in June 2015.

In June 2015, Ian Sandywell, 45, tragically took his own life after receiving a demand for nearly $17,000 in back child support. The letter from the Child Support Agency stated he owed payments for his son, Ben, dating back to the previous November. Overwhelmed by the stress, Sandywell texted Ben, “Delete me out of your life please. I’m going to hang myself.”

Later that day, his wife, Jo-ann Balsamo, discovered him in the garage. She recalled their earlier phone call where he expressed deep distress over the $800 monthly payment but had calmed down by the end of the conversation. Sandywell had also shared his concerns with his parents and exchanged about 40 texts with Ben, his last message reading, “I’m sorry Ben, I love you.”

Emergency services arrived too late to save him. An autopsy revealed he had alcohol in his system, twice the legal driving limit. This tragic event underscores the devastating impact of financial and emotional stress.