A grieving young mother has courageously told her story of her landscaper’s struggle with drug addiction and depression that led him to commit suicide.
Friends knew Leigh Hinkley, 30, from Melbourne, as a devoted family man who loved to make everyone laugh. But his benign personality hid personal demons.
Leigh, a father of two little boys, Patrick, three, and six-month-old Harrison, died by suicide on February 21.
That has led his partner of eight years, Whitley Fleet, to speak out about the importance of checking that family and friends are okay – especially men, who “find it hard to express their feelings.”
Mrs Fleet was the last person Leigh spoke to, hours before his body was found in south-east Melbourne.
“It’s something you wouldn’t wish on anyone,” Ms Fleet told Daily Mail Australia.
“My world is turned upside down.”
Leigh Hinkley (right) took his own life in February. He is survived by his longtime partner Whitney and young sons Patrick and Harrison
She got disturbing signals a week earlier that Leigh wasn’t himself and tried unsuccessfully to convince him to open up to her.
Mrs. Fleet will never forget their last phone call, just before 7 pm on February 20. “I was the last one Leigh spoke to,” she recalls.
‘He had sent me a farewell message, which was really distressing.
“I spoke to him on the phone to tell him everything would be fine and asked where he was.”
“But he refused me where he was and kept saying he was sorry. That was about it.’
The next morning, Mrs. Fleet received a phone call asking her to go to the police station.
“I went down thinking he would be there,” she said.
“The first thing I wanted to do was hug him and tell him I and the boys loved him.”
“When they put me down and said he was dead, I fell to the ground. I couldn’t believe it and was in shock for a few days.’
Whitney Fleet and Leigh Hinkley (pictured) were together for eight years
Leigh (pictured with partner Whitney and son Patrick) battled depression and drug addiction
She described Mr. Hinkley as caring and always up for a joke and a laugh.
“He was always known as a funny and quick person who wanted to make everyone laugh,” said Ms Fleet.
“But his whole life is tinged with sadness.
“He lost his mother when he was three, so he was traumatized by the loss and other things that happened during his childhood.”
Mr. Hinkley battled drug addiction and mental health issues off and on for 10 years.
“He would hide it from me or lie about it and would never tell me or anyone how he felt,” Ms Fleet said.
“Eventually the depression got to be too much for him and it pushed him over the edge.”
Hours before he died, Mr. Hinkley posted heartbreaking final messages to his family on Facebook.
“You will never understand how much I love you Whitney, even though I hurt you, lied to you, stole from you, I destroyed everything,” he wrote.
“I’m sorry you never deserved that. I love you Bubby. I can not live without you.’
Leigh Hinkley made a poignant last post to his partner hours before he died
A year ago, Leigh Hinkley and his partner were preparing for the arrival of their second child
Ms. Fleet’s current focus is on raising her two boys and teaching them that it’s okay to express their emotions.
“I want them to grow up and be able to tell me how they feel and not have to hold it in all the time,” she said.
More than 150 people attended Mr Hinkley’s funeral last week, where mourners were urged to make a donation to mental health organization Beyond Blue in lieu of flowers.
Friends have described Mr. Hinkley as one of the funniest people they’ve ever met.
“What a man, what a character, you always made me laugh, brother. You will be missed by many and never forgotten,” one partner wrote.
Another friend added: “My heart aches knowing that I’ll never speak to you again, that you won’t see your boys grow up and that we’ve lost you, Leigh bear.” There will always be a special place in my heart for you. I’m sorry you thought this world wasn’t for you.’
Friends and family have gathered around Mrs. Fleet and a online fundraiser to help ease some of the financial burden as she grieves.
“Leigh was their main breadwinner because Whitney was a stay-at-home mom. All money raised will go towards funeral expenses, rent and bills, food for the family and essentials for the boys,” it read.
Leigh Hinkley (right) also posted poignant final messages to sons Patrick (left) and Harrison
Whitney Fleet (right) was the last person to speak to her partner Leigh (left) before he died
The fundraiser set up by the mother of Ms. Fleet’s best friend has raised nearly $14,000 so far.
“Before all this happened, I wanted to go back to work for the next few months to help with the bills,” Ms Fleet said.
“The support is incredible. It means I need a few more months to process what happened.’
She now urges others who are mentally struggling not to be ashamed to speak out.
“Get help and contact everyone,” she said.
“Mental health is a huge problem, especially with men, who find it difficult to express their feelings.”
If you or someone you know needs support, please contact Lifeline 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
Whitney hopes sharing Leigh’s story (pictured with son Patrick) will inspire others battling inner demons to speak out and seek help
Leigh Hinkley battled drug addiction and depression on and off for at least a decade