**Tragic Loss of Swansea Teen Dad Reveals Struggles with Addiction**
A tragedy unfolded in Swansea late last year, when 19-year-old Corey James French was discovered dead outside his family home on Christmas Eve. The personal heartbreak rippled throughout the local community, as an inquest at Swansea’s Guildhall this week painted a portrait of a bright young man fiercely loved by his family and friends—but quietly battling his own demons.
Corey, described as both a talented footballer and a devoted father to his three-month-old son, left a lasting impression on those around him. Teachers at Townhill and Seaview schools remembered him as a promising pupil with a love for art and sport—a young person whose achievements in the classroom and on the pitch earned glowing reports. Friends recalled his infectious energy as he played for West End Football Club, later transferring briefly to Treboeth before returning to his original team to share the pitch once more with childhood friends.
Having moved on from school, Corey embarked on a vocational path, attending Gower College to study plumbing, and soon after gaining hands-on skills in flooring and carpentry with a local building contractor. Finding pride in his work, he eventually joined Swansea Council as a van driver—a job he relished because of his passion for driving and interacting with the community.
Despite this outward trajectory, testimony at the inquest revealed the complicated truth behind his struggles. According to police records and family accounts, Corey found it increasingly difficult to balance new responsibilities, including the demands of a job that required him to spend weekdays away from home—a challenge he reportedly confessed to a close relative.
His private life, as detailed during proceedings, was not without its challenges. Corey grappled with alcohol, gambling, and drug dependency. These difficulties were no secret to his GP, to whom Corey had confided his struggles, and to his family, whom he regularly urged to steer clear of the substances that had ensnared him. His heartfelt warnings to avoid drugs, shared with both friends and family, proved to be chillingly prophetic.
On the night of December 23rd, Corey was seen out socialising with friends in the Brynmill and Port Tennant neighbourhoods. Later, his girlfriend picked him up and they shared hopeful plans for their future together. However, the hope was short-lived. The following morning, letters were found in the house, in which he apologised for his decision and explained that he could no longer bear the pain he was enduring. In a moving message, Corey implored those left behind, “Don’t do drugs, that’s what has got me.”
It was Corey’s stepfather, John, who ultimately found him outside their Woodford Road home and raised the alarm with emergency services. Paramedics arrived promptly, but tragically, nothing could be done.
The inquest, led by Senior Coroner Aled Gruffydd, concluded that Corey’s death was the result of suicide. Notably, police and family testified that, although Corey had openly discussed his difficulties, he had not given any indication to loved ones or his girlfriend that he was contemplating such a step.
The case underscores the pressing importance of accessible mental health and addiction support—particularly for young people juggling new responsibilities and pressures. While Corey French’s story has ended, his cautions to others remain vital. People across Wales who face mental health or substance misuse challenges are encouraged to seek help through organisations such as Mind Cymru, Samaritans, and the Community Advice & Listening Line (CALL).
Corey’s family, friends, and teammates are left to grieve a young life cut tragically short, while his final words serve as both a warning and a legacy: a call for others to avoid the struggles he could not overcome.