Son’s suicide followed tour of duty in Afghanistan

‘A different person came home’
Father: Son’s suicide followed tour of duty in Afghanistan
By The Canadian Press
Wed, Jun 22 - 4:54 AM
GLACE BAY — The father of a Canadian soldier who committed suicide last week says his son might not have been in Afghanistan when he died, but he died because of his time there.

Cpl. James McMullin, 29, who was stationed at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, N.B., was found dead Friday at his home near the base.

Originally from Glace Bay, McMullin served in Afghanistan for six months and his tour ended in March 2009.

"If I could tell anyone anything about Jamie after he came back from Afghanistan . . . he never came back," said Darrell McMullin, the soldier’s father.

"A different person came home. He couldn’t forget what he did over there, he couldn’t get past it. He tried to make everyone happy and smile, but when he was alone he didn’t smile."

Capt. John Hugh MacDonald, a Forces spokesman, said the death of McMullin is under investigation by the RCMP and will also be the subject of a military inquiry.

"It’s automatic — the military will convene a board of inquiry," he said.
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A different person came home