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Brave Owen Wason's shattered girlfriend found him hanged eight years later at his flat after he fell victim to post traumatic stress disorder

A HERO Royal Marine who was sent to Afghanistan as a teenager killed himself after being haunted by the horrors he witnessed.

Brave Owen Wason just 18 when he became the youngest member of 45 Commando posted there saw eight of his friends killed by the Taliban.

The Marines shattered girlfriend found him hanged eight years later at his flat after he fell victim to post traumatic stress disorder.

Grieving stepdad Paul Martin told an inquest how Owen, who joined up straight from school, kept his nightmares secret from his family.

He described him as an inspirational, courageous, popular, humorous and shining young man adding: He was a phenomenal Royal Marine.

Mr Martin said: Owen was a really good lad and a great character.

He had some difficulties, but worked on them really hard and was doing well until six months ago when he started getting into difficulties.

He couldnt cope too well with stress at times though he really worked hard to hide that from people who were close to him.

Owens first six-month tour in Afghanistan was in 2008.

He was on regular foot patrol in Helmands Upper Sangin Valley and cleared hundreds of improvised bombs planted by the murderous Taliban.

His family described the time he spent there as particularly brutal.

A year before UK combat operations ended in 2013 the Marine endured a second stint in the war-torn country.

Tormented Owen killed himself last October at the age of 26.

His distraught girlfriend called 999 from his home in Darlington, Co Durham, after finding his lifeless body.

Detective Constable Stewart Walker told the inquest in Crook, Co Durham, how Owen had locked the door to his flat then hanged himself.

Coroner Andrew Tweddle said as he recorded a verdict of suicide: He appears to have been very determined to end his own life.

A total of 454 British troops died in Afghanistan. A charity appeal launched after Owens death has raised more than 6,450 for survivors battling PTSD.

Do you need help? Contact The Samaritans on 116 123 or visit http://www.samaritans.org. PAPYRUS HOPELineUK also provides confidential suicide prevention advice and support to young people and others worried about them tel 0800 068 4141 text 07786 209 697 email pat@papyrus-uk.org

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Royal Marine who served in Afghanistan hanged himself after seeing friends killed by Taliban - The Sun