Tragically, the son of Australian politician Jeremy Buckingham committed himself just one day after disclosing to his parents that he had “suffered the most terrible treatment” at the hands of a relative.
In a Facebook message on Friday afternoon, the heartbroken father and former Greens MP delivered the tragic news that his ‘beautiful golden baby’ Eden had died earlier this week.
Mr. Buckingham characterized his 23-year-old son as a ‘fighter’ who has struggled with mental health from childhood.
Mr. Buckingham wrote, “These are the most difficult, excruciating words.”
‘My lovely, golden boy Eden is gone. I am so in love with him that I cannot believe I must continue without him. Monday, he tragically took his own life.
“His family and friends were aware of his struggle, that his mental health had been difficult since an early age, but Eden fought valiantly; he was a compassionate, intellectual, warrior.
Mr. Buckingham indicated that his son, who had overcome addiction and was planning his future with his closest friends and sibling, could not live with the humiliation and guilt of claimed abuse from a cousin.
A day after admitting to his parents that he had been abused by a relative, Eden committed suicide.
Mr. Buckingham stated, “Eden was unable to live with the reality, informing us a day before he died that he had endured the most heinous abuse from a relative.”
His confidence, faith, and hopes were dashed. He was unable to live with his private humiliation and remorse, and he was unable to live with the truth being known. He stated that he did not want to be the victim of this occurrence. It was beyond his capacity. I comprehend and am not furious with him. I realize why.
Earlier this week, police issued a missing persons warning for Eden, citing grave concerns for his welfare.
Wednesday at around 4:00 p.m., the body of a young man was discovered beside a walking path in the NSW town of Bellingen, located on the mid-north coast.
Police spokesperson: “Officers from the Coffs/Clarence Police District have begun searching for a man who was last seen at a Bellingen residence on Monday.”
The corpse of a man was discovered beside a walking path in Bellingen at about 4 p.m. yesterday, following lengthy investigations.
A report will be compiled for the Coroner’s consideration.
In the three hours since it was uploaded, the message has been inundated with more than a thousand heartfelt sympathies for the Buckingham family.
“No parent should ever be had to bury a kid. One person expressed their condolences for your family’s tragic loss and the agony your kid must have been through.
What really distressing news. Jeremy, my condolences go out to you and your family. Another user user wished, “May you find comfort in your time of sadness, sometime at some point.”
A third user remarked, “I can’t think of anything more painful than losing a child under these circumstances.”
‘Terribly so sad for you, my heartfelt sympathies. My heart aches for the undeserved agony that Eden must have undergone. Rest in peace, handsome young man. Mr. Buckingham swore to bring the perpetrator of his son’s assault to justice and praised the NSW Police and State Emergency Services for caring for Eden.
He stated that he will always remember his “beautiful kid” and that he will meet him again “at the long table in Valhalla” – a Norse mythological hall where individuals who have died and been declared worthy live with the gods.
From 2011 until 2019, Mr. Buckingham served on the New South Wales Legislative Council. He was a member of the Greens from 2011 to 2018, but resigned in December 2018.
In June, he returned to politics, joining the Legalize Cannabis Party and advocating for the nationwide decriminalization of the substance.
‘In Australia, 65,000 people are arrested annually for simple Cannabis possession, tens of thousands of these are brought before the courts and are fined or criminalised unnecessarily, and thousands more are imprisoned, destroying their lives at a high cost to the taxpayer,’ he said, explaining his decision to join the party.
“It’s time to finish this. It is time for a reasonable, data-driven discussion about a viable Cannabis law reform strategy. It’s time to make it legal.
Let’s address this matter rationally, develop an industry of immense value to our economy and farmers, and decriminalize a drug that millions of Australians daily take.
For confidential crisis assistance, dial 13 11 14 for Lifeline