The grieving parents of a brilliant astrophysics student have spoken out in anguish after their son took his own life just weeks before graduation, following what they describe as a catastrophic failure by his university to act on multiple warnings about his deteriorating mental health.
A Promising Future Cut Short
Ben Corfield, 21, was in his final year studying astrophysics at Cardiff University when his mental health began to decline dramatically. Described by his family as "incredibly bright and kind-hearted," Ben had been receiving treatment for mental health issues but seemed to be managing well until his condition worsened in early 2023.
Multiple Missed Opportunities
The university received not one, but three separate warnings about Ben's vulnerable state in the weeks leading up to his death. His parents, Adrian and Alison Corfield, had personally alerted university staff to their son's crisis, while Ben himself had reached out for help through official channels.
"We did everything we could to sound the alarm," said Mr Corfield, his voice heavy with emotion. "We trusted the university to have systems in place to protect vulnerable students. That trust was completely misplaced."
The Final Tragic Discovery
On April 18, 2023, Ben was found dead in his student accommodation. The coroner later ruled his death a suicide, noting that the university had failed to follow its own safeguarding procedures despite clear warning signs.
"The system failed our son at every turn," Mrs Corfield told investigators. "When students and parents cry out for help, there should be an immediate, coordinated response. Instead, there was chaos and confusion."
University Admits Critical Failures
In a devastating admission, Cardiff University confirmed that staff had made significant errors in handling Ben's case. The institution acknowledged that:
- Critical information about Ben's vulnerability wasn't properly recorded
- Multiple warnings from different sources weren't connected
- Established safeguarding protocols weren't followed
- Opportunities to intervene were missed
A Family's Unanswered Questions
The Corfields are now demanding answers and systemic change across higher education institutions. "We need to ensure no other family experiences this nightmare," said Mr Corfield. "Universities have a duty of care to their students, and when they fail in that duty, the consequences can be fatal."
The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for better mental health support and communication protocols within universities across the UK, particularly for students facing academic pressure during their final years.
