UK university student dies by suicide 3 months after mistakenly being told he wouldn’t graduate on time
A tragic mistake at Scotland’s University of Glasgow has left a family grieving the loss of their son, Ethan Brown, a 23-year-old geography student who died by suicide just as he was set to graduate with honors. Now, his loved ones are pushing for changes to protect other students facing similar struggles.
Ethan took his own life on December 13, 2024—the very day his graduation ceremony was scheduled. Back in September 2024, the university had wrongly told him he lacked the credits needed to finish on time. His mother, Tracy Scott, discovered him in his bedroom and still grapples with the shock. “You wake up and think it’s a bad dream, but it’s not,” she shared tearfully with STV News.
Scott fought to get the school to double-check Ethan’s grades. After his death, the University of Glasgow investigated and confirmed the error in a statement. They hired a retired senior professor to review what went wrong and shared the report with the family. Less than two months later, university officials met with Ethan’s family, offered a heartfelt apology, and expressed their deepest sympathies.
The school called the mix-up a “tragic” oversight that should have been caught during the exam board review. They stressed it was an isolated incident, not a widespread problem. But the issues went beyond grades. Ethan had raised concerns about his wellbeing with a staff member, yet those red flags never reached the campus mental health services.
Ethan’s family attorney, Aamer Anwar, spoke out at a press conference, saying the university let him down—and they believe it contributed to his death. The family only learned the full extent of his pain after he was gone, which has shattered them. Still, they find solace in memories of Ethan’s bright smile that lit up any room and his knack for making friends feel welcome.
In response, the University of Glasgow is reviewing training for staff, including those handling exam boards. They’re also conducting a full audit of their academic policies and student wellbeing support to prevent future heartbreak.
If you’re dealing with suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis in New York City, call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free, confidential help. Outside the city, reach the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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