A student took his own life after a widely used hair loss supplement triggered suicidal thoughts.
Oliver Fawkes, 21, was found dead close to his family home on 25 November 2025, following a period of severe mental distress.
During proceedings at Norfolk Coroner’s Court, area coroner Maeve Skyes has formally concluded that Mr Fawkes’ death was a suicide after suffering side effects of prescribed medication.
He had been grappling with seborrhoeic dermatitis, a condition characterised by dry skin and subsequent hair loss, for several years prior to his death.
While his GP had initially provided topical medications to address the issue, Mr Fawkes felt “dissatisfied” with the results, leading him to search for alternative treatments.
His search brought him to a website called Manual, a digital healthcare provider operated by parent company Menwell.
In July 2024, after completing screenings, he ordered his first set of oral minoxidil pills, and by October of that year, he started taking finasteride.
While considered rare, side effects of taking finasteride include suicidal ideations and depression. Manual patients are urged, through the website and leaflets, to stop taking the medication if they experience these symptoms.
Despite this, Mr Fawkes continued with the prescription, with his last order being a six-month supply on 6 October 2025, just over a month before his death.
His mother described him to the inquest as a “unique person”.
She said that he achieved high grades in science throughout school and college, which eventually saw him start an integrated master’s degree in computer science at the University of East Anglia in Norwich.
She added that he had even been offered the chance to complete a PHD in 2026.
“It was obvious to all that Ollie enjoyed and excelled at his studies, and we looked forward to supporting him on his journey in any way we could,” she said.
“It is with great sadness that we will collect on his behalf a first-class degree in summer 2026.”
On the day before his death, Mr Fawke’s mother was away visiting her daughter, who was at the University of York, and her husband was away for work, meaning it was just him and his brother at home.
She described their communication as normal, as they texted back and forth.
At around 3pm, Mr Fawkes told his brother that he was heading out for a walk to watch the sunset. He never returned.
Both his brother and mother became increasingly worried as it was unlike him to be out in the dark. His brother spent the evening searching the area and asking neighbours if they had seen him, but he was nowhere to be found.
His mother, who was still in Yorkshire, was unable to drive home due to thick fog, which made it unsafe to make the journey back to Norfolk.
“I was feeling sick and unwell by now,” she said.
With the next day rolling over, and still no sign of the 21-year-old, a neighbour went for a dog walk to see if she could find him.
She called Mr Fawkes’ brother at 7.30am in tears to say she had discovered his body.
Police and paramedics arrived at the scene at 8.15pm, and he was pronounced dead.
During the inquest, the chief medical officer of Menwell said that Mr Fawkes did not report any side effects or list any mental health issues while taking the medication.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has since reviewed evidence for finasteride and has made recommendations for further measures to minimise the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
It said that from 1994 to 31 May 2025, there were 19 suicides related to the medication and 170 reports of suicidal thoughts as a side effect.
The agency has said that there will be updates to product information and warnings.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email [email protected], or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
