A heartbroken doctor killed himself over a romance with another medic — because his parents objected to ‘cultural differences’ between the pair.
India-born Dr Madhu Honnaiah, 33, swallowed drugs from Singleton Hospital in Swansea where he worked after splitting with fiancée Dr Emma Wrighton.
An inquest heard his parents had objected to his engagement to British-born Dr Wrighton, 32, who had refused to have a Hindhu wedding.
Anaesthetist Dr Honnaiah was alone when he injected himself with two drugs used in surgery seven months after their split.
The inquest heard Dr Honnaiah had begun a relationship with fellow doctor Dr Wrighton in 2008 while working in Liverpool.
Dr Wrighton then got a job in Australia but the pair stayed in touch — and moved in together when she returned to Britain.
The two doctors got engaged in 2010, though Dr Honnaiah didn’t inform his parents.
Investigating officer PC Huw Evans told the inquest that Dr Honnaiah was wary of telling his parents about the relationship because of their ‘cultural beliefs.’
He said: ‘During a visit to Britain from India, his parents learned of the relationship and said they weren’t happy about it.
‘It was said his parents wanted him to marry someone from his caste or from the Bangalore area of India where he grew up.’
The couple broke up in September 2010 and Dr Honnaiah moved to Swansea in January 2011.[
‘After the breakdown of his relationship, concerns about Dr Honnaiah’s state of mind were raised by his colleagues,’ PC Evans said.
The inquest was told how a concerned Dr Wrighton tried to phone her ex-boyfriend in the days before he was found dead. She travelled to Swansea to try to speak to Dr Honnaiah at his home, but she was unable to find him at his waterside apartment.
Dr Honnaiah’s colleagues at Singleton hospital weren’t worried at first because he had been due to take the week off. But after being contacted by one of his university friends, two fellow anaesthetists went to check up on him.
PC Evans added: ‘They found his flat unlocked and when they went inside they found him deceased.’
Swansea Coroner’s court heard how the ampoules contained the standard components of general anaesthetic including a powerful muscle relaxant.
The eight-page hand written letter made it clear that Doctor Honnaiah intended to take his own life.
Swansea coroner Philip Rogers said: ‘I think it is clear that the breakdown of this relationship with Dr Wrighton must have caused Dr Honnaiah great distress and worry.’
– Daily Mail UK
A 33yr old man should have held his grounds against his parents knowing he was marrying for himself & not them & should they have insisted he should simply have walked them out of his life rather than take it. I hope they can now give his remains the type of wedding they want.
foolish and stupid love.