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Drug Withdrawn Before Rugby Star's Death
17 Aug
Summary
- Anti-psychotic medication prescription was withdrawn weeks before death.
- James Snowden struggled with suicidal feelings since childhood.
- He was a strongman and rugby player at age 21.
A promising rugby player and strongman, James Snowden, tragically died in December 2024 at his Altrincham home. Weeks prior to his passing, his prescription for anti-psychotic medication, sulpiride, was being gradually withdrawn. Snowden, 21, had contended with suicidal ideation since his youth.
His mother described him as a "gentle giant," noting that the sulpiride prescription, initiated in 2021, had enabled him to "pursue a full life." At the time of his death, James was under the care of the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
An inquest at Manchester South Coroner's Court heard that an appointment on November 26, 2024, was scheduled to plan the tapering of his medication. Snowden was a respected athlete, having played for Broughton Park FC and Sale FC Rugby Clubs, and St Lawrence's Gaelic Football Club.
