A heartbreaking inquest revealed that 27-year-old Valentino Mujic tragically ended his own life after repeatedly expressing to hospital staff and police that he felt unsafe outside. Despite pledging for support and revealing suicidal thoughts, Mujic was not admitted for help and was ultimately found unresponsive in Birmingham near Cadbury Drive on February 26. He died days later on March 5 at Heartlands Hospital.
Originally from the Netherlands, Mujic had a history of mental illness and was living in Bordesley Green before being made homeless. In the days preceding his death, he was sleeping in garages, struggling with his deteriorating mental health. His family described him as a “good person” and expressed deep frustration at what they saw as inadequate support from the authorities.
At Birmingham Coroner’s Court, Coroner Adam Hodson ruled the cause of death as suicide through hypoxic brain injury and concluded that neither hospital staff nor police directly caused or contributed to his death. While homelessness and lack of contact information were noted as complicating factors, the coroner found no causative failures.
Mujic’s aunt, Sema, shared that the family had repeatedly pleaded with police to intervene, but their concerns were dismissed. She highlighted how Valentino had told police and doctors about hearing voices and having suicidal thoughts but was repeatedly passed from one service to another without meaningful help.
“He was safe in custody and at the hospital, but instead of care, they sent him away,” Sema said. “If someone is homeless and asking for help, we must do more than give advice—we must listen and support them until they’re safe.”
Mujic’s mental health struggles intensified after a historic assault in France. Despite ongoing antidepressant treatment and reviews, his situation deteriorated sharply in February 2025 after being evicted from accommodation. When he sought admission at Heartlands, staff turned him away, advising him to see his GP instead. He was effectively homeless, hungry for days, and in desperate need of help.
Records from his GP, Dr. Ahmed, match the inquest’s findings: Mujic expressed suicidal thoughts linked mainly to his housing crisis, but no explicit plan or immediate danger was identified. He was offered contacts for housing support, but lacking a working phone, he struggled to follow up. His scheduled follow-up came after he had already fallen critically ill.
In the days before his death, Mujic was briefly held in police custody, again asking for admission. Officers, however, deemed he wasn’t a risk and released him.
Coroner Hodson offered condolences to the family, emphasizing their efforts to assist Mujic and urging them to look after themselves amidst the tragedy.
Valentino Mujic’s story underscores the urgent need for improved mental health support systems for vulnerable individuals, especially those facing homelessness and crisis.