Bruce ‘would be alive if he received treatment’

AN investigation has been launched after a dad-of-three aged 25 was found dead in a graveyard.

Bruce Moorcroft was discovered in St Andrew’s Church, in Forest Road, Greenstead, Colchester, on Sunday.

The cause of death has not been established, but police are not treating it as suspicious.

Mr Moorcroft’s family say he was let down by the Lakes mental health unit in Turner Road, Colchester.

Mum Michelle Moorcroft said: “We have been trying to get help for him at the Lakes for years, but they didn’t want to know.”

Michelle said Mr Moorcroft, who had three children aged five months, two and six, was tormented by voices in his head telling him people wanted to harm him.

The paranoia made him flee his shared home in Winnock Road, making himself homeless.

On Friday he went to the April Centre, which was trying to find him accommodation.

He spent Friday night at the night shelter, but his paranoia returned and he was taken by police to the Lakes, before being discharged on Saturday.

He was found dead 24 hours later.

Michelle said many people tried to help him, but he needed mental health support.

She claims the only time anyone from the Lakes was interested was yesterday after hearing of his death.

She said: “They called and offered to help me when they heard.

“I told them it was a bit late now.

“They were not interested when he was alive.

“He really needed help and we kept asking for it, but they said he didn’t have mental health problems and did not fit the criteria.

“He should have been sectioned and everyone knew it, except the people who were supposed to help him.

“He would still be here if they had given him proper treatment.”

Brother Ash, 19 and sister Jennifer Metcalf, 27, who affectionately called him “Bruce the Moose”, both agree with their mum.

Ash said: “How many families are being let down? We were told even some of the staff agreed he should stay, but they needed three signatures and could only get one.

“They have let down the most vulnerable who they are meant to help.”