Teenage Suicide

I must have lead a charmed existence as a youngster because as I sit here typing this I cannot recall one time when I thought that I had had enough and it was time to end it all. That is not to say that I was not aware of suicide. One of my team mates on my U-17 rugby team committed suicide. The strange thing was that no one saw it coming! Everyone in the post match wash up seemed to think all was well. Even his mum thought things were good.

This brings me to the tragic story of Shane Riley from Sydney. Shane was just 16 years old and by all accounts a happy enough kid. He had been missing since last Friday when he left home headed to work at the local KFC. Apparently, his ancient history class had decided that they were going to take a trip to Egypt and the KFC job was a means to that end.

Shane never appeared for his shift. His parents stated that this was out of character for the kid and that this had never happened before. When kids go missing and their disappearance is out of character then the concern level is quickly ratcheted up.

The only clue to the disappearance was a mobile phone call Shane made to a friend. This call has only increased the concern levels as police have described the call of having a "degree of finality" to it.

Sadly, the lifeless body of Shane Riley was pulled from the water of Lurline Bay at 4.30pm yesterday afternoon. According to police the death appears to have been a suicide. The post mortem will probably confirm this.

My condolences go out to those that are left behind in this tragedy, particularly the family and those close to Shane. They must be scratching their collective heads right now and wondering what did we miss, were there signs, how did this happen, and the like.

Hopefully, Shane Riley finds the peace in the next life he could not find in this one.

Those with depression issues or he fear loved ones or friends might be in trouble then the following two numbers will be of value to you.

Lifeline: 131 114

Beyondblue: 1300 224 636